Atmospheric Aerosol Characterization and Impact Assessment

Atmospheric aerosols encompass a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the air, originating from natural processes (such as dust storms, sea spray and biogenic emissions) and from anthropogenic activities (including combustion, industrial operations and biomass burning). Characterisation relies on complementary approaches: morphological and chemical analysis at the single‐particle scale using electron microscopy, in situ optical measurements of scattering and absorption, and remote‐sensing retrievals of columnar properties such as aerosol optical depth. Quantification of mixing state and hygroscopic growth underpins understanding of cloud condensation nuclei activity, radiative forcing and heterogeneous chemical reactions. Integrated regional and global models assimilate these observations to assess transport pathways, deposition processes and both direct and indirect climate impacts, as well as implications for air quality and human health.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Advanced transmission electron microscopy studies have dissected individual particles from residential and agricultural combustion, revealing internally mixed soot–organic structures and metal inclusions. Such work has refined source apportionment of urban and rural emissions, clarifying the role of primary organic matter in light absorption and toxicity. A novel single‐particle polarisation detector has enabled real‐time tracking of mineral dust morphology as particles acquire nitrate and sulphate coatings. Observations of decreased depolarisation ratios demonstrate progressive rounding of dust grains and enhanced cloud droplet activation potential in polluted, high‐humidity environments.

Atmospheric Aerosol Characterization and Impact Assessment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in atmospheric aerosol characterization and impact assessment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD): A dimensionless measure of the extinction of solar radiation by aerosol particles in a vertical column of the atmosphere.

Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN): Aerosol particles that enable condensation of water vapour to form cloud droplets when supersaturation is reached.

Mixing State: The distribution of chemical species within and among individual particles, classified as internal (components in the same particle) or external (distinct particle populations).

Hygroscopic Growth: The uptake of water by aerosol particles in response to ambient relative humidity, altering particle size and optical properties.

References

1. Morphology, composition, and mixing state of primary particles from combustion sources — crop residue, wood, and solid waste. Scientific Reports (2017).
2. Real-time observational evidence of changing Asian dust morphology with the mixing of heavy anthropogenic pollution. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. Haze types in Beijing and the influence of agricultural biomass burning. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2010).
4. Source, transport and impacts of a heavy dust event in the Yangtze River Delta, China, in 2011. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2014).
5. Exploring wintertime regional haze in northeast China: role of coal and biomass burning. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2020).