Use of stable nitrogen isotopes in atmospheric aerosol research.
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| Title: | Use of stable nitrogen isotopes in atmospheric aerosol research. |
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| Authors: | Bai, Jingqi1 (AUTHOR), Wu, Libin1 (AUTHOR) wulibin@tju.edu.cn, Zhao, Qingzi1 (AUTHOR), Xin, Ke1 (AUTHOR), Hu, Wei1 (AUTHOR), Deng, Junjun1 (AUTHOR), Fu, Pingqing1 (AUTHOR) fupingqing@tju.edu.cn |
| Source: | Atmospheric Environment. Mar2026, Vol. 368, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Atmospheric aerosols, *Nitrogen cycle, *Environmental impact analysis, *Nitrogen, Nitrogen isotopes, Isotopic fractionation, Acquisition of data, Bayesian analysis |
| Abstract: | Stable nitrogen isotope analysis serves as a powerful tool for tracing the sources and transformation pathways of nitrogen-containing aerosols, which significantly influence atmospheric chemistry, climate change, and environmental processes. This review comprehensively synthesizes the application of stable nitrogen isotopes for the analysis of various forms of nitrogen in atmospheric aerosols, including ammonium, nitrate, and organic nitrogen, as well as atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO). We summarize key measurement techniques and analytical frameworks, with a particular emphasis on stable isotope mixing models-especially Bayesian methods-for source apportionment and the evaluation of isotope fractionation. The review delineates distinct stable nitrogen isotope signatures of major sources (e.g., fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, biomass burning) and elucidates the spatiotemporal variability of isotopic compositions driven by anthropogenic activities and natural processes. Despite advances in the stable isotope analysis of nitrogen-containing aerosols, several challenges remain, particularly concerning nitrogen isotope fractionation processes and the complexity of organic nitrogen species. Finally, we propose that future studies should refine the database of isotope characteristics from various sources, enhance the analytical precision of measurement techniques, and integrate multi-method approaches to better understand nitrogen cycles and mitigate the environmental impacts of nitrogen-containing aerosols. [Display omitted] • A summary of the use of stable isotope analyses in atmospheric N-containing aerosol research is presented. • δ 15N is an effective indicator of the sources of ammonium, nitrate, HONO, and organic nitrogen in atmospheric aerosols. • δ 18O is a powerful tool for elucidating the formation pathways of nitrate and HONO. • Limitations of nitrogen isotope analyses in aerosol research are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | GreenFILE |
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