HONO and its potential source particulate nitrite at an urban site in North China during the cold season

Characteristics and transformation of nitrous acid (HONO) and particulate nitrite were investigated with high time-resolution field measurements at an urban site in Ji'nan, China from Nov. 2013 to Jan. 2014. During the sampling period, averages of 0.35ppbv HONO and 2.08μgm−3 fine particulate nitrite were observed. HONO and particulate nitrite exhibited similar diurnal variation patterns but differed in the time at which concentration peaks and valleys occurred. Elevated nocturnal HONO concentration peaks were mainly associated with primary emissions from vehicle exhaust and secondary formation via heterogeneous reactions of NO2. In fresh air masses dominated by vehicle emissions, the average HONO/NOx ratio was 0.58%. The nocturnal heterogeneous reactions of NO2 contributed to about half of the elevated HONO concentration peaks, with the conversion rates in the range of 0.05% to 0.96%h−1. Meanwhile, a large amount of particulate nitrite, which greatly exceeded the concentration of the gas-phase HONO, was also produced through the heterogeneous reactions of NO2. The large yields of particulate nitrite were facilitated by abundant ammonia and particulate cations in urban Ji'nan. Notably, in the daytime, particulate nitrite acted as a potential source of HONO, especially in conditions of low humidity and acidic aerosols, which possibly has subsequent effects on photochemistry in the boundary layer. [Display omitted] •HONO and particulate nitrite were simultaneously measured in North China.•Vehicle exhausts and NO2 reactions are identified as major sources of HONO.•Heterogeneous reactions of NO2 produced a large amount of particulate nitrite.•Particulate nitrite acted as a potential source of HONO especially in the daytime.