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Sulfuric and nitric acids drive iron dissolution differently

A landscape photograph of a densely populated urban skyline viewed from an elevated perspective, showing multiple layers of atmospheric haze obscuring the distant buildings and creating a visible pollution gradient from the foreground to the horizon.
Research area:Earth and Planetary SciencesAtmospheric chemistry and aerosolsDissolution

What the study found

Iron dissolution varied between the upper mixing layer and ground-level air in a megacity. The study found that sulfuric acid was the main driver of iron dissolution in the upper mixing layer, while nitric acid was more important near the ground.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors say the findings help clarify a controversial part of the iron acidification process. They also conclude that the study provides new data for testing atmospheric models of dissolved iron concentration and deposition, and may help improve predictions of iron solubility.

What the researchers tested

The researchers compared iron acid dissolution in air masses from the upper mixing layer and from ground-level near source regions of acidic gases. They examined the roles of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, as well as the effects of atmospheric aging during long-range transport and particle size.

What worked and what didn't

Air masses with higher sulfate-to-nitrate ratios were associated with higher iron solubility in the upper mixing layer after atmospheric aging. In the upper layer and in submicron aerosols, sulfuric acid dominated iron acidification. Near the ground, nitric acid contributed more, and in supermicron particles alkaline mineral dust neutralized nitric acid and reduced iron dissolution.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe specific study limitations. The findings are reported for a megacity setting and for the particle-size and air-mass conditions described in the study.

Key points

  • Iron dissolution differed between the upper mixing layer and ground-level air in a megacity.
  • Sulfuric acid was the main driver of iron dissolution aloft, especially after atmospheric aging.
  • Nitric acid was more important for iron dissolution near ground-level source regions.
  • Submicron aerosols showed sulfuric-acid dominance, while supermicron particles showed reduced iron dissolution because alkaline mineral dust neutralized nitric acid.
  • The authors say the data can help test atmospheric models of dissolved iron and deposition.

Disclosure

Research title:
Sulfuric and nitric acids drive iron dissolution differently
Authors:
Guochen Wang, Xuedong Cui, Bingye Xu, Can Wu, Minkang Zhi, Keliang Li, Liang Xu, Qi Yuan, Yuntao Wang, Yele Sun, Zongbo Shi, Akinori Ito, Shixian Zhai, Weijun Li
Institutions:
Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Meteorological Bureau, Zhejiang Environmental Monitoring Center, East China Normal University, China Jiliang University, Ocean University of China, Ministry of Natural Resources, Second Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University of Birmingham, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Publication date:
2026-01-29
DOI:
10.5194/acp-26-1483-2026
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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