Dimethyl sulfide (DMS; CH3SCH3) from marine phytoplankton is a notable source of atmospheric sulfur1. Its oxidation products include sulfuric acid (SA; H2SO4) and methanesulfonic acid (MSA; CH3SO3H), which has a higher yield than SA below 10 °C (ref. 2). Although SA is known to drive the formation of new particles3, which may subsequently grow and act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), the role of MSA remains unclear4. Here, in experiments performed under atmospheric conditions at the CERN CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber, we show that MSA nucleates together with ammonia (NH3) below -10 °C, at rates comparable with SA-NH3. Moreover, MSA and SA nucleate synergistically below -10 °C, forming multi-acid molecular clusters with NH3. Even at ultralow NH3 levels, MSA drives particle growth at or near the kinetic limit below 9 °C and above 40% relative humidity (RH). Because MSA and SA generally coexist at similar concentrations in cool marine regions, our findings indicate that nucleation rates may be accelerated up to tenfold and growth rates up to twofold compared with SA-NH3 alone. Our global model simulations indicate that MSA can enhance CCN concentrations, especially in polar regions. We propose that MSA might be an important driver of biogenic particles in cool, pristine marine regions of both the present-day and pre-industrial atmospheres and yet is unaccounted for in global climate models5.

The use of a diffusion charger based AQ Urban sensors to monitor particle number concentrations was investigated in Helsinki metropolitan area. The comparisons between the AQ Urban sensors and traditional butanol CPCs were made at a heavily trafficked street canyon (Traffic Supersite) and at an urban background site (UB Supersite) in 2022. The agreement with the measured particle number concentrations within different AQ Urban units was good. Comparison of the AQ Urban sensor with the two CPCs showed that AQ Urban sensors should be suitable to measure concentration of particles approx. larger than 10 nm in highly trafficked areas. The long-term agreement between AQ Urban sensors and CPCs was also investigated in the two different environments between 1 January and 15 August 2022. Overall, the correlation between AQ Urban sensors and the CPCs was good at both sites (r being 0.93 and 0.89, respectively). The increased concentration of particles smaller than 10 nm and long-range transported pollution affected the accuracy of AQ Urban sensors. Despite this downside of the method, the correlation between the AQ Urban sensor and the CPCs was good during the whole measurement period, indicating that the sensor is well suitable for long-term particle number concentration monitoring in urban environments in Finland. However, the observed effect of bi-modal particle size distribution suggests that the performance of diffusion charger-based sensors may vary in different geographic regions depending on the regional background concentrations of accumulation mode particles which should be considered when applying the method in different locations.

Organic aerosol particles (OA) can absorb solar radiation with varying efficiencies depending on their chemical composition and physical properties. This light-absorbing fraction of OA, commonly referred to as brown carbon (BrC), is difficult to accurately represent in climate models due to the inherent diversity of its optical properties. This variability arises from differences in emission sources and atmospheric processing, as well as from variations in experimental design and the analytical methods used to quantify BrC absorption. As a result, the climate effect of BrC remains uncertain. Here, we studied the light absorption properties of surface ambient OA using measurements from 17 sites across Europe. Combining multi-wavelength absorption measurements from filter-based photometers with OA mass concentrations and source apportionment derived from ACSM/AMS data, we derive empirical estimates of the OA mass absorption cross section (MACOA), its wavelength dependence (AAEOA), the OA density (⍴OA), and the MAC associated with different primary and secondary OA sources. We further develop parameterizations that relate MACOA, AAEOA and ⍴OA to the ambient black carbon-to-organic aerosol ratio (eBC/OA) and propose a corresponding parameterization for the imaginary refractive index (kOA). Given the widespread availability of eBC and OA measurements in global monitoring networks, the framework presented here provides a practical approach for estimating the absorptive properties of surface OA particles under real-world conditions.

Abstract. Light absorption by urban aerosols is dominated by fine particles (particulate matter ≤2.5 µm; PM2.5), particularly from traffic exhaust and residential combustion. However, coarse particles (2.5–10 µm; PM2.5–10) can also contribute during spring street dust events in northern countries. This study investigated size-resolved optical properties and chemical composition of PM in an urban street canyon during spring. Hourly PM₁₀ concentrations averaged 27.1 µg m⁻³, while PM2.5 and PM1 (≤1 µm) concentrations averaged 7.1 and 4.3 µg m⁻³, respectively. Light absorption across PM₁, PM₂.₅, and PM₇.₂ fractions was dominated by submicron particles, predominantly at short wavelengths, while coarse particles enhanced absorption during dust-resuspension events. Equivalent black carbon (eBC) showed strong size dependence, with PM1 capturing most combustion-derived BC despite low campaign-mean concentrations (0.49 µg m⁻³). Relative to PM₁, hourly eBC increased by 14 % in PM2.5 and 41 % in PM7.2. Absorption Ångström exponent analysis revealed size- and source-dependent spectra differences, with stronger wavelength dependence during high PM10 dust events and values closer to unity under traffic-exhaust-dominated conditions. The inclusion of coarse particles complicated the interpretation of the AAE470/950 and related biomass burning contribution estimates. Elemental analysis revealed elevated concentrations of Si, Fe, and Al in coarse PM, suggesting contributions from crustal material and/or non-exhaust emissions that may also influence optical properties. These findings demonstrate that quantification and source identification of urban aerosol light absorption requires consideration of the selected particle size cut-off.

Airports have been identified as major sources of ultrafine particles, which have gained increasing attention due to their linkage with adverse health effects. To better understand the exposure, impacts and needed regulatory actions related to airport-originated pollution, the characteristics, dynamics and dispersion of these emissions should be known. In this study, we investigate particle pollution from a medium-large international airport (Helsinki-Vantaa, Finland) by utilising a stationary measurement site near the airport and mobile laboratory measurements up to 10 km away from the determined airport reference location. We report particle number concentration (PNC) and size distributions (1.2 nm-2.5 µm), emission factors as well as dispersion of particles larger than 2.5 nm, 4 nm, 10 nm and 23 nm, BC, PM2.5 and lung deposited surface area (LDSAal). Furthermore, data from a long-term air quality monitoring site and 12 PNC sensor sites up to 15 km away are used to investigate the long-term impacts of the airport. Finally, we estimate the airport's contribution to yearly averaged PNC and LDSAal in the surrounding areas. Overall, the studied airport is a major source of ultrafine particles: The downwind PNC> 10 nm exceeded the World Health Organization's definition for high short-term PNC (20 000 #/cm3) up to a 4.4 km distance, and 500-5 000 #/cm3 yearly increases of PNC>10 nm at 2-5 km distances were estimated. The high contribution of particles smaller than 10 nm and nanocluster aerosols (<3 nm) suggest an important role of (semi-)volatile compounds in the airport emissions.

A substantial fraction of submicron particulate matter in urban areas consists of organic aerosol (OA). This study aimed to elucidate the chemical characteristics and sources of OA at a traffic location in Helsinki, Finland, using four datasets collected from 2018 to 2024. The measurement site was located at the curbside of Mäkelänkatu (Helsinki Supersite), maintained by the Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY). OA composition and mass size distribution were measured using a Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, while Positive Matrix Factorization was used to separate OA into different types.The results showed that traffic predominantly produces two types of OA: hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) and traffic-related oxygenated OA (Tr-OOA), each contributing 10–18% to the total OA. HOA, consisting mostly of hydrocarbon ions, peaked typically during the morning rush hour between 7 and 9 am. Tr-OOA peaked later in the morning, and was more oxygenated than HOA. Tr-OOA showed significant signals for C2H4O2+ (at m/z 60) and C3H5O2+ (at m/z 73), which are typically associated with biomass burning OA (BBOA). Additionally, Tr-OOA had a notable signal for C2H5O2+ (m/z 61), especially high during the winter 2022 campaign. Besides HOA and Tr-OOA, semi-volatile oxygenated OA (SV-OOA) also appeared somewhat related to traffic emissions, though its secondary nature suggested a stronger link to regional pollution than local traffic emissions.The specific origin of Tr-OOA remained unclear. However, it could be somewhat atmospherically processed, as its concentration stayed elevated a few hours longer than HOA in the morning, and its mass size distribution peaked at a larger size than HOA. The hydrocarbon ratios in the mass spectra of Tr-OOA suggested a connection to modern vehicles with efficient exhaust after-treatment systems, which operate later in the morning than heavy-duty vehicles or diesel buses.This study provides a comprehensive view of OA in an urban environment. The novel information on sources and size distributions will enhance the understanding of urban OA and support air quality authorities and decision-makers in finding effective measures to reduce the harmful effects of urban particulate matter.This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101096133 (PAREMPI) and No 101036245 (RI-URBANS).

Carbonaceous aerosols (CA), composed of black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM), significantly impact the climate. Light absorption properties of CA, particularly of BC and brown carbon (BrC), are crucial due to their contribution to global and regional warming. We present the absorption properties of BC (b(Abs,BC)) and BrC (b(Abs,BrC)) inferred using Aethalometer data from 44 European sites covering different environments (traffic (TR), urban (UB), suburban (SUB), regional background (RB) and mountain (M)). Absorption coefficients showed a clear relationship with station setting decreasing as follows: TR > UB > SUB > RB > M, with exceptions. The contribution of b(Abs,BrC) to total absorption (b(Abs)), i.e. %Abs(BrC), was lower at traffic sites (11-20 %), exceeding 30 % at some SUB and RB sites. Low AAE values were observed at TR sites, due to the dominance of internal combustion emissions, and at some remote RB/M sites, likely due to the lack of proximity to BrC sources, insufficient secondary processes generating BrC or the effect of photobleaching during transport. Higher b(Abs) and AAE were observed in Central/Eastern Europe compared to Western/Northern Europe, due to higher coal and biomass burning emissions in the east. Seasonal analysis showed increased b(Abs), b(Abs,BC), b(Abs,BrC) in winter, with stronger %Abs(BrC), leading to higher AAE. Diel cycles of b(Abs,BC) peaked during morning and evening rush hours, whereas b(Abs,BrC), %Abs(BrC), AAE, and AAE(BrC) peaked at night when emissions from household activities accumulated. Decade-long trends analyses demonstrated a decrease in b(Abs), due to reduction of BC emissions, while b(Abs,BrC) and AAE increased, suggesting a shift in CA composition, with a relative increase in BrC over BC. This study provides a unique dataset to assess the BrC effects on climate and confirms that BrC can contribute significantly to UV-VIS radiation presenting highly variable absorption properties in Europe.

A three-month air quality measurement campaign was conducted in spring 2023 near a busy highway in Espoo, Finland. The measurement site featured a high (6.5 m) noise barrier built adjacent to the highway. Additionally, there was a gap in the noise barrier at the selected measurement site, providing an opportunity to study the air quality impacts of the noise barrier. Several air quality measurement devices were installed behind the noise barrier and in the gap at distances of 10, 20 and 40 m from the side of the highway. Additionally, 15 passive samplers were deployed to monitor NO2 concentrations across the study area, mobile measurements were conducted using the ATMo-Lab mobile laboratory on the highway, and concurrent flights with drones equipped with AQ monitors were performed along the highway. The effects of the noise barrier on PM10, PM2.5, lung deposited surface area (LDSA), particle number concentration (PNC), NO2, and black carbon (BC) were quantified based on the analysed measurement data. Furthermore, the measurements were compared with simulated pollutant concentrations from a local-scale Gaussian air quality model (Enfuser) with a nearby obstacle detection and concentration reduction method incorporated in the model to address the effects of the noise barrier in the study. The noise barrier was found to effectively reduce pollutant concentrations behind the barrier. The most notable reductions were observed closest to the highway. The greatest reductions were observed for PM10 (mostly road dust) while gaseous concentrations, such as NO2, exhibited less pronounced decreases.

Physical and chemical properties of particulate matter and concentrations of trace gases were measured at an urban site in Helsinki, Finland, for 5 weeks to investigate the effect of wintertime conditions on pollutants. The measurement took place in a street canyon (traffic supersite) in January–February 2022. In addition, measurements were conducted in an urban background station (UB supersite, SMEAR III, located approx. 0.9 km from the traffic supersite). Measurements were also made using the mobile laboratory. The measurements were made driving the adjacent side streets and the street along the traffic supersite. Source apportionment was performed for the soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer measurements to identify organic factors connected to different particulate sources. Particle number concentration time series and the pollution detection algorithm were used to compare local pollution level differences between the sites. During the campaign three different pollution events were observed with increased pollution concentrations. The increased concentrations during these episodes were due to both trapping of local pollutants near the boundary layer and the long-range and regional transport of pollutants to the Helsinki metropolitan area. Local road vehicle emissions increased the particle number concentrations, especially sub-10 nm particles, and long-range-transported and regionally transported aged particles increased the PM mass and particle size.

Aerosols formed and grown by gas-to-particle processes are a major contributor to smog and haze in megacities, despite the competition between growth and loss rates. Rapid growth rates from ammonium nitrate formation have the potential to sustain particle number in typical urban polluted conditions. This process requires supersaturation of gas-phase ammonia and nitric acid with respect to ammonium nitrate saturation ratios. Urban environments are inhomogeneous. In the troposphere, vertical mixing is fast, and aerosols may experience rapidly changing temperatures. In areas close to sources of pollution, gas-phase concentrations can also be highly variable. In this work we present results from nucleation experiments at -10 °C and 5 °C in the CLOUD chamber at CERN. We verify, using a kinetic model, how long supersaturation is likely to be sustained under urban conditions with temperature and concentration inhomogeneities, and the impact it may have on the particle size distribution. We show that rapid and strong temperature changes of 1 °C min-1 are needed to cause rapid growth of nanoparticles through ammonium nitrate formation. Furthermore, inhomogeneous emissions of ammonia in cities may also cause rapid growth of particles.

It has become evident that additional metrics along the particle mass concentration, together with dense air quality monitoring networks within cities, are needed to understand the most efficient ways to tackle the health burden of particulate pollution. Particle lung-deposited surface area (LDSAal) is a metric to estimate particle exposure in the lung alveoli, and it has gained interest as a parameter for air quality monitoring as it is relatively easy and cost-efficient to measure with electrical particle sensors. Also, various studies have indicated its potential as a health-relevant metric. In addition to the electrical particle sensors, the LDSAal can be measured with various size distribution methods. However, different LDSAal measurement methods have fundamental differences in their operation principles, e.g., related to the measurement size ranges, size classification or conversion from the originally measured quantity into the LDSAal. It is not well understood how these differences affect the accuracy of the measurement in ambient conditions, where especially the particle effective density and hygroscopicity can considerably change the particle lung deposition efficiencies. In this study, the electrical particle sensor measurement (Partector) and two size distribution approaches (ELPI+ and DMPS/SMPS) were compared in road traffic environments with different environmental conditions in Helsinki and Prague. The results were compared by utilising the general assumptions of the LDSAal measurement (spherical hydrophobic particles with the standard density) and by evaluating the effects of the particle effective density and hygroscopicity. Additionally, the Partector and ELPI+ approaches were compared in various urban environments near road traffic, airports, river traffic and residential wood combustion. The results show that the comparison of different LDSAal measurement methods can be complicated in ambient measurements. The challenges were especially related to the accumulation mode particles roughly larger than 200–400 nm for which the dominant deposition mechanism in the lung changes from diffusion to impaction and the particle effective density and hygroscopicity tend to increase. On the other hand, the results suggest that the differences between the methods are reasonably low when considering only ultrafine and soot particles, which have an effective density closer to the standard (1.0 g cm−3) and are more hydrophobic, highlighting the suitability of the LDSAal as a monitored metric when estimating the spatial differences in the particulate pollution within cities.

Brown carbon (BrC) is an organic aerosol (OA) component that possesses light-absorbing properties in the UV-Vis spectrum, impacting climate. However, the current understanding of climate repercussions stemming from BrC emissions remains insufficient due to a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding its chemical makeup, light-absorption, and the role of atmospheric aging in shaping BrC properties. This study investigates BrC in PM1 (particulate matter <1μm) during winter in Helsinki, Finland, in a street canyon and a residential area with wood combustion. The aim was to ascertain BrC sources, chemical composition, and contribution to UV-Vis light absorption. The study utilized a seven-wavelength aethalometer (AE33) to measure black carbon (BC) and BrC light absorptions, and a soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP-AMS) to determine OA composition. An OA source apportionment using positive matrix factorization followed by a multiple regression analysis between BrC absorption and each factor was performed to determine the mass absorption coefficients of BrC (MACBrC) and light absorption contributions of distinct sources across 370-660 nm wavelengths. The BrC UV-Vis absorption relative to the one of BC was higher at 370 nm, with a median contribution of 20.1 % in the residential area and 18.2 % at the traffic site. Residential BrC absorption showed sporadic peaks, while street canyon absorption was lower but consistent. MACBrC was higher for biomass burning organic aerosol but still significant for long-range transported (LRT) and traffic-related aerosols. Hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol exhibited higher MACBrC at 470 nm than at 370 nm. Combined with particulate mass concentrations, biomass burning and LRT contributed the most to light absorption. Uncertainties regarding MACBrC were evaluated. The chemical composition analysis revealed stronger correlations between BrC absorption and SP-AMS-measured ions, especially in residential areas and for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxidized aromatics. The study emphasizes the importance of anthropogenic sources in BrC light absorption.

Lockdown restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to the curtailment of many activities and reduced emissions of primary air pollutants. Here, we applied positive matrix factorisation to particle size distribution (PSD) data from six monitoring sites (three urban background and three roadside) between four European cities (Helsinki, Leipzig, Budapest, and London) to evaluate how particle number concentrations (PNCs) and their sources changed during the respective 2020 lockdown periods compared to the reference years 2014–2019. A number of common factors were resolved between sites, including nucleation, road traffic semi-volatile fraction (road trafficsvf), road traffic solid fraction (road trafficsf), diffuse urban (wood smoke + aged traffic), ozone-associated secondary aerosol (O3-associated SA), and secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA). Nucleation, road traffic, and diffuse urban factors were the largest contributors to mean PNCs during the reference years and respective lockdown periods. However, SIA factors were the largest contributors to particle mass concentrations, irrespective of environment type. Total mean PNCs were lower at two of the urban-background and all roadside sites during lockdown. The response of nucleation and road trafficsvf factors to lockdown restrictions was highly variable, although road trafficsf factors were consistently lower at roadside sites. The responses of diffuse urban factors were largely consistent and were mostly lower at urban-background sites. Secondary aerosols (O3-associated SA and SIA) exhibited extensive reductions in their mean PNCs at all sites. These variegated responses to lockdowns across Europe point to a complex network of sources and aerosol sinks contributing to PSDs.

Particle size is one of the key factors influencing how aerosol particles affect their climate and health effects. Therefore, a better understanding of particle size distributions from various sources is crucial. In urban environments, aerosols are produced in a large number of varying processes and conditions. This study intended to develop the source apportionment of urban aerosols by utilising a novel approach to positive matrix factorisation (PMF). The particle source profiles were detected in particle number size distribution data measured simultaneously in a street canyon and at a nearby urban background station between February 2015 and June 2019 in Helsinki, southern Finland. The novelty of the method is combining the data from both sites and finding profiles for the unified data. Five aerosol sources were found. Four of them were detected at both of the stations: slightly aged traffic (TRA2), secondary combustion aerosol (SCA), secondary aerosol (SecA), and long-range-transported aerosol (LRT). One of the sources, fresh traffic (TRA1) was only detected at a street canyon. The factors were identified based on available auxiliary data. Additionally, the trends of the found factors were studied, and statistically significant decreasing trends were found for TRA1 and SecA. A statistically significant increasing trend was found for TRA2. This work implies that traffic-related aerosols remain important in urban environments and that aerosol sources can be detected using only particle number size distribution data as input in the PMF method.

Ultrafine particles (UFP, those with diameters ≤ 100 nm), have been reported to potentially penetrate deeply into the respiratory system, translocate through the alveoli, and affect various organs, potentially correlating with increased mortality. The aim of this study is to assess long-term trends (5-11 years) in mostly urban UFP concentrations based on measurements of particle number size distributions (PNSD). Additionally, concentrations of other pollutants and meteorological variables were evaluated to support the interpretations. PNSD datasets from 12 urban background (UB), 5 traffic (TR), 3 suburban background (SUB) and 1 regional background (RB) sites in 15 European cities and 1 in the USA were evaluated. The non-parametric Theil-Sen's method was used to detect monotonic trends. Meta-analyses were carried out to assess the overall trends and those for different environments. The results showed significant decreases in NO, NO2, BC, CO, and particle concentrations in the Aitken (25-100 nm) and the Accumulation (100-800 nm) modes, suggesting a positive impact of the implementation of EURO 5/V and 6/VI vehicle standards on European air quality. The growing use of Diesel Particle Filters (DPFs) might also have clearly reduced exhaust emissions of BC, PM, and the Aitken and Accumulation mode particles. However, as reported by prior studies, there remains an issue of poor control of Nucleation mode particles (smaller than 25 nm), which are not fully reduced with current DPFs, without emission controls for semi-volatile organic compounds, and might have different origins than road traffic. Thus, contrasting trends for Nucleation mode particles were obtained across the cities studied. This mode also affected the UFP and total PNC trends because of the high proportion of Nucleation mode particles in both concentration ranges. It was also found that the urban temperature increasing trends might have also influenced those of PNC, Nucleation and Aitken modes.

Iodine oxoacids are recognised for their significant contribution to the formation of new particles in marine and polar atmospheres. Nevertheless, to incorporate the iodine oxoacid nucleation mechanism into global simulations, it is essential to comprehend how this mechanism varies under various atmospheric conditions. In this study, we combined measurements from the CLOUD (Cosmic Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber at CERN and simulations with a kinetic model to investigate the impact of temperature, ionisation, and humidity on iodine oxoacid nucleation. Our findings reveal that ion-induced particle formation rates remain largely unaffected by changes in temperature. However, neutral particle formation rates experience a significant increase when the temperature drops from +10 degrees C to -10 degrees C. Running the kinetic model with varying ionisation rates demonstrates that the particle formation rate only increases with a higher ionisation rate when the iodic acid concentration exceeds 1.5 x 107 cm-3, a concentration rarely reached in pristine marine atmospheres. Consequently, our simulations suggest that, despite higher ionisation rates, the charged cluster nucleation pathway of iodic acid is unlikely to be enhanced in the upper troposphere by higher ionisation rates. Instead, the neutral nucleation channel is likely to be the dominant channel in that region. Notably, the iodine oxoacid nucleation mechanism remains unaffected by changes in relative humidity from 2% to 80%. However, under unrealistically dry conditions (below 0.008% RH at +10 degrees C), iodine oxides (I2O4 and I2O5) significantly enhance formation rates. Therefore, we conclude that iodine oxoacid nucleation is the dominant nucleation mechanism for iodine nucleation in the marine and polar boundary layer atmosphere. Raising the ionisation rate (IR) increases the ion concentration, but also amplifies ion losses due to ion-ion recombination, consequently diminishing the formation rate of charged clusters at low HIO3 concentrations.

There is a body of evidence that ultrafine particles (UFP, those with diameters <= 100 nm) might have significant impacts on health. Accordingly, identifying sources of UFP is essential to develop abatement policies. This study focuses on urban Europe, and aims at identifying sources and quantifying their contributions to particle number size distribution (PNSD) using receptor modelling (Positive Matrix Factorization, PMF), and evaluating long-term trends of these source contributions using the non-parametric Theil-Sen's method. Datasets evaluated include 14 urban background (UB), 5 traffic (TR), 4 suburban background (SUB), and 1 regional background (RB) sites, covering 18 European and 1 USA cities, over the period, when available, from 2009 to 2019. Ten factors were identified (4 road traffic factors, photonucleation, urban background, domestic heating, 2 regional factors and long-distance transport), with road traffic being the primary contributor at all UB and TR sites (56-95 %), and photonucleation being also significant in many cities. The trends analyses showed a notable decrease in traffic-related UFP ambient concentrations, with statistically significant decreasing trends for the total traffic-related factors of -5.40 and -2.15 % yr(-1) for the TR and UB sites, respectively. This abatement is most probably due to the implementation of European emissions standards, particularly after the introduction of diesel particle filters (DPFs) in 2011. However, DPFs do not retain nucleated particles generated during the dilution of diesel exhaust semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Trends in photonucleation were more diverse, influenced by a reduction in the condensation sink potential facilitating new particle formation (NPF) or by a decrease in the emissions of UFP precursors. The decrease of primary PM emissions and precursors of UFP also contributed to the reduction of urban and regional background sources.

Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) are a major source of new particles that affect the Earth's climate. HOM production from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs during both the day and night and can lead to new particle formation (NPF). However, NPF involving organic vapors has been reported much more often during the daytime than during nighttime. Here, we show that the nitrate radicals (NO3), which arise predominantly at night, inhibit NPF during the oxidation of monoterpenes based on three lines of observational evidence: NPF experiments in the CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), radical chemistry experiments using an oxidation flow reactor, and field observations in a wetland that occasionally exhibits nocturnal NPF. Nitrooxy-peroxy radicals formed from NO3 chemistry suppress the production of ultralow-volatility organic compounds (ULVOCs) responsible for biogenic NPF, which are covalently bound peroxy radical (RO2) dimer association products. The ULVOC yield of α-pinene in the presence of NO3 is one-fifth of that resulting from ozone chemistry alone. Even trace amounts of NO3 radicals, at sub-parts per trillion level, suppress the NPF rate by a factor of 4. Ambient observations further confirm that when NO3 chemistry is involved, monoterpene NPF is completely turned off. Our results explain the frequent absence of nocturnal biogenic NPF in monoterpene (α-pinene)-rich environments.