Evolution of firework-related barium aerosols: insights from single-particle analysis and mass concentration monitoring
- 1Jinan University (Guangzhou, China)
Abstract
Fireworks are a well-known source of barium (Ba) in the atmosphere, yet the aging of firework-derived Ba-containing particles remain poorly understood. Combining online measurements of Ba mass concentrations with single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) at four sites in Guangzhou, China, we found that firework events raised atmospheric Ba concentrations to levels 1–3 orders of magnitude above background. Peak Ba concentrations varied substantially among sites. Despite its substantially higher population density, the urban-core site under a complete firework ban exhibited a lower peak Ba concentration than a suburban site with time- and location-restricted firework use. This contrast was consistent with a potential mitigating influence of stricter controls, although site-specific emissions and transport may also have contributed. Among the identified particle classes, chloride-rich OClN particles and nitrate-dominated N particles were interpreted as relatively early and more advanced stages of atmospheric aging, respectively. Al/Mg-containing components, were more prevalent in OClN particles than in N particles, consistent with physical mixing during early aging, while several-hour lags between OClN and N peaks and between NO ₂ and particulate NO3- suggested secondary nitrate formation, although primary nitrate emissions from fireworks could not be excluded. These findings provide insights into the rapid aging mechanisms of firework-derived Ba particles and highlight the need to consider differentiated firework-control measures alongside site-specific emission and transport conditions when interpreting spatial pollution contrasts. Screening-level hazard quotients (HQs) based on an oral reference dose (RfD) surrogate were below 1, but short-duration Ba concentration peaks warrant further evaluation of their potential inhalation-related health implications using inhalation-specific toxicity benchmarks.
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BibTeX
@article{lian2026evolution,
title = {{Evolution of firework-related barium aerosols: insights from single-particle analysis and mass concentration monitoring}},
author = {Xiufeng Lian and Chenglei Pei and Wei Sun and Chen Lv and Kunlun Huang and Lei Lei and Bo Huang and Chunlei Cheng and Guohua Zhang and Xinhui Bi and Zhen Zhou and Mei Li},
journal = {Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5194/acp-26-15101-2026},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-15101-2026},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evolution of firework-related barium aerosols: insights from single-particle analysis and mass concentration monitoring
AU - Xiufeng Lian
AU - Chenglei Pei
AU - Wei Sun
AU - Chen Lv
AU - Kunlun Huang
AU - Lei Lei
AU - Bo Huang
AU - Chunlei Cheng
AU - Guohua Zhang
AU - Xinhui Bi
AU - Zhen Zhou
AU - Mei Li
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
DO - 10.5194/acp-26-15101-2026
UR - https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-15101-2026
AB - Fireworks are a well-known source of barium (Ba) in the atmosphere, yet the aging of firework-derived Ba-containing particles remain poorly understood. Combining online measurements of Ba mass concentrations with single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) at four sites in Guangzhou, China, we found that firework events raised atmospheric Ba concentrations to levels 1–3 orders of magnitude above background. Peak Ba concentrations varied substantially among sites. Despite its substantially higher population density, the urban-core site under a complete firework ban exhibited a lower peak Ba concentration than a suburban site with time- and location-restricted firework use. This contrast was consistent with a potential mitigating influence of stricter controls, although site-specific emissions and transport may also have contributed. Among the identified particle classes, chloride-rich OClN particles and nitrate-dominated N particles were interpreted as relatively early and more advanced stages of atmospheric aging, respectively. Al/Mg-containing components, were more prevalent in OClN particles than in N particles, consistent with physical mixing during early aging, while several-hour lags between OClN and N peaks and between NO ₂ and particulate NO3- suggested secondary nitrate formation, although primary nitrate emissions from fireworks could not be excluded. These findings provide insights into the rapid aging mechanisms of firework-derived Ba particles and highlight the need to consider differentiated firework-control measures alongside site-specific emission and transport conditions when interpreting spatial pollution contrasts. Screening-level hazard quotients (HQs) based on an oral reference dose (RfD) surrogate were below 1, but short-duration Ba concentration peaks warrant further evaluation of their potential inhalation-related health implications using inhalation-specific toxicity benchmarks.
SN - 1680-7324
SN - 1680-7316
ER -