Shao, Longyi, Guo, Ziyu, Cao, Yaxin, Yang, Shushen, Jones, Tim  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4466-1260, Ju, Yiwen, Wang, Wenhua, Li, Hong, Niu, Hongya, Liu, Pengju and Berube, Kelly ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7471-7229
2026.
Atmospheric micro- and nano- particles: characteristics, sources, and environmental behavior.
Chinese Science Bulletin
71
(25)
, pp. 5959-5975.
10.1360/CSB-2025-0728
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Abstract
Atmospheric particulate matter (PM), composed of suspended solid and liquid particles, is a complex mixture that varies in size, morphology, and chemical composition. With growing recognition of their environmental and health impacts, research has increasingly focused on micro- and nano- particles such as fine particles (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles (<100 nm). Since 2013, China has implemented a series of clean air actions, leading to notable improvements in air quality. However, as PM2.5 mass concentrations decline, the relative contribution of ultrafine and newly formed particles has gained attention due to their higher number concentrations, larger specific surface areas, and stronger bioavailability. These properties enable them to penetrate deep into the respiratory system and interact with biological tissues, posing potentially greater health risks. Atmospheric micro- and nano- particles exhibit diverse physical and chemical characteristics, such as size distribution, morphology, and mixing state. Their chemical components are complex, encompassing secondary inorganic ions, secondary organic aerosols, carbonaceous matter, heavy metals, and emerging pollutants such as microplastics and engineered nanomaterials. Formation processes involve gas-to-particle conversion, nucleation, condensation, and heterogeneous reactions. New particle formation events contribute significantly to particle number concentrations and typically occur under low pre-existing surface area conditions with high precursor gas availability. After formation, particles undergo aging, coating, and mixing, which modify their physicochemical properties and atmospheric behaviors...
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Biosciences Schools > Earth and Environmental Sciences |
| Language other than English: | Chinese |
| Publisher: | World Scientific Publishing / Springer |
| ISSN: | 1001-6538 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 5 September 2025 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 14 August 2025 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Oct 2026 10:39 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/180946 |
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