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Atmosphere
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Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matter (2nd...
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Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matter (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2026) | Viewed by 2697

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shili Tian

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Guest Editor
Institute of Analysis and Testing Beijing Academy of Science and Technology (Beijing Center for Physical and Chemical Analysis), Beijing, China
Interests: haze; aerosol chemistry; size distributions; health effects; source apportionment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mengna Gu

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Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China
Interests: ammonia; ammonium; nitrogen isotopes; source apportionment; haze pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is the second volume of a Special Issue entitled ‘Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matters’, which was published in Atmosphere in 2025 (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/46G4664CX8).

Particulate matter (PM) is considered a major air pollutant, imposing negative influences on public health and air quality. The source and formation mechanisms of PM, as well as its chemical compositions during pollution events, remain unclear due to its complexity. The factors that influence the health and environmental effects of PM also require further study. In addition, emerging contaminants play important roles in public health; however, studies on emerging contaminants in PM are quite scarce.

Because of these factors, this Special Issue aims to unite recent research and reviews on the chemical compositions, sources, formation mechanisms, and environmental effects of atmospheric particulate matter. Studies on rapid, high-selectivity, and high-sensitivity analytical methods to determine the chemical constitution of atmospheric particulate matter are of interest to this Special Issue. We also invite contributions that focus on source apportionment, environmental impacts, human exposure, and potential adverse health effects. Of special interest are studies on emerging contaminants in atmospheric particulate matter.

Dr. Shili Tian
Dr. Mengna Gu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • atmospheric particulate matter
  • aerosol chemistry
  • emerging contaminants
  • formation mechanisms
  • source apportionment
  • health effects
  • environmental implication

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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16 pages, 5052 KB  
Article
New Particle Formation and Source Apportionment of Particle Number Size Distribution in the Urban Area of the City of Belgrade
by Željko Ćirović, Danka B. Stojanović, Miloš Davidović, Antonije Onjia, Andres Alastuey and Milena Jovašević-Stojanović
Atmosphere 2026, 17(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17020205 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 626
Abstract
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are particles which can penetrate deeply into the respiratory system due to their small size and can translocate into the bloodstream, where they are linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Ultrafine particles can originate from direct emissions [...] Read more.
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are particles which can penetrate deeply into the respiratory system due to their small size and can translocate into the bloodstream, where they are linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Ultrafine particles can originate from direct emissions or processes of new particle formation (NPF) which we investigated in this study. New particle formation is the process by which molecular clusters form and then grow to larger particles and develop to nucleation and Aitken mode particles. This study presents a detailed analysis of ultrafine particle dynamics in the city of Belgrade, Serbia, based on high-resolution particle number size distribution (PNSD) measurements performed at an urban background site in the period from January to March 2020. A total of seven factors were identified using Positive Matrix Factorization (with contributions in brackets): three attributed to traffic, including mixed source (55%), biomass burning (26%), nucleation (11%), and urban diffuse (8%) sources. The results were obtained by measuring size-resolved number concentrations (10–400 nm) and other pollutants (NO, NO2, NOx, CO, O3, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, equivalent black carbon, organic carbon). Wind directional analysis revealed clear spatial signatures, with nucleation linked to south-western winds and primary factors associated with major local emission influences. The results provide the first combined characterization of new particle formation processes and source-resolved ultrafine particle contributions in Belgrade, offering new insights into wintertime urban exposure in Southeastern Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 7424 KB  
Article
Seasonal Characteristics, Sources, and Regional Transport Patterns of Precipitation Components at High-Elevation Mountain in South China
by Wenkai Lei, Xingyu Li, Xingchuan Yang, Lan Zhang, Xingru Li, Wenji Zhao and Yuepeng Pan
Atmosphere 2026, 17(1), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17010087 - 15 Jan 2026
Viewed by 476
Abstract
To investigate the seasonal characteristics, sources, and regional transport patterns of precipitation components in the high-elevation mountainous regions, field sampling was conducted at Mt. Heng (Hunan, South China) from June 2021 to May 2022. In total, 114 precipitation samples were collected and subjected [...] Read more.
To investigate the seasonal characteristics, sources, and regional transport patterns of precipitation components in the high-elevation mountainous regions, field sampling was conducted at Mt. Heng (Hunan, South China) from June 2021 to May 2022. In total, 114 precipitation samples were collected and subjected to chemical analysis, including pH, major inorganic ions, and heavy metals. During the study period, the precipitation at Mt. Heng was generally weakly acidic. The concentrations of metals and acidic anions (NO3− and SO42−) were higher in the winter and lower in the summer, whereas the concentration of the primary neutralizing cation, NH4+, peaked during the summer. An association was observed between precipitation pH and metal concentrations, whereby acidic precipitation samples exhibited marginally elevated metal concentrations overall. An additional analysis of winter precipitation chemistry at Mt. Heng revealed an increasing trend of ions from 2015 to 2018, followed by a decrease from 2019 to 2021. This trend coincided with the concentrations of NO2 and SO2 in the surrounding cities, reflecting the results of clean air actions. The results of the source analysis revealed five major sources: secondary sources (41.5%), coal combustion (24.7%), a mixed source of biomass burning and aged sea salt (11.6%), dust (10.8%), and industrial emissions (11.4%). Backward trajectory cluster analysis revealed that air masses originating from the northern regions were generally more polluted than those from the southern regions. This study provides fundamental data and scientific support for regional atmospheric pollution control and ecological protection in South China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 516 KB  
Perspective
Advances in High-Resolution Spatiotemporal Monitoring Techniques for Indoor PM2.5 Distribution
by Qingyang Liu
Atmosphere 2025, 16(10), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16101196 - 17 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1205
Abstract
Indoor air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a severe threat to human health. Due to the diverse sources of indoor PM2.5 and its high spatial heterogeneity in distribution, traditional single-point fixed monitoring fails to accurately reflect the actual [...] Read more.
Indoor air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), poses a severe threat to human health. Due to the diverse sources of indoor PM2.5 and its high spatial heterogeneity in distribution, traditional single-point fixed monitoring fails to accurately reflect the actual human exposure level. In recent years, the development of high spatiotemporal resolution monitoring technologies has provided a new perspective for revealing the dynamic distribution patterns of indoor PM2.5. This study discusses two cutting-edge monitoring strategies: (1) mobile monitoring technology based on Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) and portable sensors, which maps 2D exposure trajectories and concentration fields by having personnel carry sensors while moving; and (2) 3D dynamic monitoring technology based on in situ Lateral Scattering LiDAR (I-LiDAR), which non-intrusively reconstructs the 3D dynamic distribution of PM2.5 concentrations using laser arrays. This study elaborates on the principles, calibration methods, application cases, advantages, and disadvantages of the two technologies, compares their applicable scenarios, and outlines future research directions in multi-technology integration, intelligent calibration, and public health applications. It aims to provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the accurate assessment of indoor air quality and the prevention and control of health risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Source Analysis of Particulate Matter (2nd Edition))
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