Changes in physical and chemical properties of urban atmospheric aerosols and ozone during the COVID-19 lockdown in a semi-arid region

The synergistic response of urban atmospheric aerosols and ozone (O-3) to reduction of anthropogenic emissions is complicated and still needs further study. Thus, the changes in physical and chemical properties of urban atmospheric aerosols and O-3 during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown were investigated at three urban sites and one rural site in Lanzhou with semi-arid climate. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) decreased at four sites by similar to 20% while O-3 increased by >100% at two urban sites during the COVID-19 lockdown. Both primary emissions and secondary formation of PM2.5 decreased during the lockdown. Significant increase in both sulfur and nitrogen oxidation ratios was found in the afternoon, which accounted for 48.7% of the total sulfate and 40.4% of the total nitrate, respectively. The positive matrix factorization source apportionment revealed increased contribution of secondary formation and decreased contribution of vehicle emissions. Aerosol scattering and absorption decreased by 33.6% and 45.3%, resulting in an increase in visibility by 30% and single scattering albedo (SSA) at 520 nm slightly increased by 0.02. The enhanced O-3 production was explained by increased volatile organic compounds to nitrogen oxides ratio, decreased aerosol, as well as increased SSA. The primary emissions of secondary aerosol precursors significantly decreased while Ox (i.e., NO2 and O-3) exhibited little change. Consequently, Ox to CO ratio, PM2.5 to elemental carbon (EC) ratio, secondary inorganic aerosols to EC ratio, and secondary organic carbon to EC ratio increased, confirming enhanced secondary aerosol production efficiency during the lockdown. Positive feedback among O-3 concentration, secondary aerosol formation, and SSA was revealed to further promote O-3 production and secondary aerosol formation. These results provide scientific guidance for collaborative management of O-3 and particulate matter pollution for cities with semi-arid climate.