Wintertime nitrate formation during haze days in the Guanzhong basin, China: A case study

In this study, the formation of nitrate aerosol from 16 to 24 December 2015 in the Guanzhong basin, China is simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The predicted near-surface O₃, NO₂, and fine particulate matters (PM_2.5) in the basin and inorganic aerosols and nitrous acid (HONO) in Xi'an are generally in good agreement with the observations. Sensitivity studies show that the heterogeneous HONO sources play an appreciable role in the nitrate formation in the basin, contributing 9.2% of nitrate mass concentrations during heavy haze days. Nitrate formation is also affected by sulfate due to their competition for ammonia, particularly in urban areas. A 50% decrease in SO₂ emissions enhances the nitrate concentration by 6.2% during heavy haze days on average in the basin, and a 50% increase in SO₂ emission reduces the nitrate concentration by 9.7%. The roles of HONO and sulfate competition in nitrate formation are strongly modulated by ammonia. Agricultural emissions predominate the nitrate level in the basin (93.5%), but the non-agricultural sources cannot substantially influence nitrate formation (3.7%–14.6%). Reducing agricultural emission is an effective control strategy to mitigate nitrate pollution in the basin. The heterogeneous HONO source and sulfate competition play appropriate roles in nitrate formation in the Guanzhong basin, which is strongly modulated by ammonia.