Articles | Volume 22, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5329-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.Chemical and stable carbon isotopic compositions of PM2.5 from two typical forests in China: implication for sources
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- Final revised paper (published on 07 Oct 2025)
- Supplement to the final revised paper
- Preprint (discussion started on 08 May 2025)
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor
| : Report abuse
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1335', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 May 2025
- AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Zhanjie Xu, 10 Jul 2025
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RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-1335', Anonymous Referee #2, 18 Jun 2025
- AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Zhanjie Xu, 10 Jul 2025
Peer review completion
AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (23 Jul 2025) by Pierre Amato

AR by Zhanjie Xu on behalf of the Authors (23 Jul 2025)
Author's response
Author's tracked changes
Manuscript
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (24 Jul 2025) by Pierre Amato

AR by Zhanjie Xu on behalf of the Authors (31 Jul 2025)
Author's response
Author's tracked changes
Manuscript
ED: Publish as is (18 Aug 2025) by Pierre Amato

AR by Zhanjie Xu on behalf of the Authors (20 Aug 2025)
Manuscript
The manuscript is generally well-structured encompassing the conventional format of scientific articles. The language is clear and concise, facilitating comprehension. However, there are occasional grammatical errors and awkward phrasings that could benefit from careful proofreading. For instance, the sentence:
"Further fossil fuel combustion contributed more significantly at CB than at BN." could be rephrased for clarity as:
"Furthermore, fossil fuel combustion contributed more significantly at CB than at BN."
Overall, the manuscript is accessible to readers with a background in atmospheric sciences or environmental chemistry.
2.1. Experimental Design
The study investigates the chemical and stable carbon isotopic compositions of PM₂.₅ collected from two forest sites in China—Changbai Mountain (CB) in the north and Xishuangbanna (BN) in the south—during summer and winter periods. The sampling strategy includes day and night collections, providing temporal resolution. The analysis encompasses carbonaceous and nitrogenous components, water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs), and δ¹³C of total carbon (δ¹³CTC).
While the study design is comprehensive, there are concerns regarding certain methodological choices:
Filter Material: The use of quartz filters for collecting PM₂.₅ samples intended for WSII analysis is questionable. Quartz filters are known to have high blank values for certain ions, which can interfere with accurate quantification. Although the authors mention using blanks to correct for background levels, the inherent high background of quartz filters, especially for cations like Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺, can compromise the reliability of the measurements. Alternative filter materials, such as Teflon or PCT, are more suitable for WSII analysis due to their lower blank values.
Trajectory Analysis: The study employs backward trajectory analysis at a fixed altitude of 500 meters to infer the potential sources of air masses. However, this approach may not accurately represent the transport pathways of surface-level aerosols, especially considering the diurnal variation of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). During nighttime, the PBL can be shallow, and air masses at 500 meters may reside in the residual layer, not interacting with surface emissions. Therefore, trajectory analyses should consider the dynamic nature of the PBL and possibly include multiple altitudes to capture a more representative range of transport pathways.
2.2. Data Presentation and Interpretation
The results indicate seasonal and diurnal variations in PM₂.₅ composition, with higher concentrations of carbonaceous and nitrogenous components in winter. The dominance of SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺ at CB, and SO₄²⁻, NH₄⁺, and Na⁺ at BN, is reported. The δ¹³CTC values suggest contributions from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion.
While the data presentation is generally clear, there are areas where further clarification is needed:
Ion Balance: The study does not discuss the ion balance between measured cations and anions. An imbalance could indicate missing species or analytical errors. Given the use of quartz filters, which can introduce artifacts, a discussion on ion balance would strengthen the reliability of the WSII data.
Source Apportionment: The authors rely on δ¹³CTC values and the relative abundance of chemical species to infer sources. However, more robust source apportionment techniques, such as Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) or Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) modeling, could provide quantitative estimates of source contributions and reduce uncertainty.
2.3. Novelty and Contribution
The study contributes to the limited data on PM₂.₅ composition in forested regions of China, particularly regarding δ¹³CTC measurements. However, the findings largely corroborate existing knowledge about the sources and seasonal variations of PM₂.₅. The use of δ¹³CTC as a tracer is valuable, but its application here does not yield novel insights into source apportionment beyond what is already known.
Line 117: The authors state that the contribution of CaCO₃ to aerosols is negligible, yet later identify soil as a significant source of PM₂.₅. This appears contradictory, as soil dust typically contains substantial amounts of calcium carbonate. Clarification is needed to reconcile these statements.
Table 1: The table1 appears to have two different legends, which may cause confusion. Ensuring consistency in table legends is essential for clarity.
The manuscript provides valuable data on PM₂.₅ composition in two forested regions of China, with a focus on seasonal and diurnal variations. However, methodological concerns, particularly regarding filter selection for WSII analysis and the trajectory analysis approach, need to be addressed. The study's findings align with existing literature, and while the inclusion of δ¹³CTC measurements is commendable, it does not substantially advance the understanding of PM₂.₅ sources.
Recommendation: Major revisions are necessary to address the methodological issues and enhance the robustness of the source apportionment analysis. Incorporating more suitable filter materials, refining trajectory analyses, and employing quantitative source apportionment models would significantly strengthen the study.