The Pivotal Role of Heavy Terpenes and Anthropogenic Interactions in New Particle Formation on the Southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

ABSTRACT: Aerosol particles originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) readily reach the free troposphere, potentially affecting global radiation and climate. Although new particle formation (NPF) is frequently observed at such high altitudes, its precursors and their underlying chemistry remain poorly understood. This study presents direct observational evidence of anthropogenic influences on biogenic NPF on the southeastern QTP, near the Himalayas. The mean particle nucleation rate (J_1.7) is 2.6 cm^-3 s^-1, exceeding the kinetic limit of sulfuric acid (SA) nucleation (mean SA: 2.4 × 10⁵ cm^-3). NPF is predominantly driven by highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs), possibly facilitated by low SA levels. We identified 1538 ultralow

SUBMITTER: Liu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11542885 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature