Winter months in China are a common season for haze events brought on by high mass concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 m). PM2.5 is linked to deteriorating vision and air quality as well as harmful impacts on human health. From November 2018 to January 2019, nonrefractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) chemical compositions and vertical wind profiles were simultaneously observed at an urban site (Beijing) and a regional background site (Xinglong) in the North China Plain (NCP) to study the aerosol chemistry and regional transport changes in Beijing under various stagnant meteorological conditions.

In the winter, mineral dust increased absorption efficiency while decreasing scattering efficiency. In winter and spring, respectively, the absorption ngström exponent (AAE) was primarily sensitive to organic matter and mineral dust; it was moderately high (i.e., 1.68) in winter and moderate (i.e., 1.42) in spring. In contrast to the other seasons, winter saw better mass absorption efficiency thanks to mineral dust. This research highlights the intricate interplay between aerosol chemistry and optical characteristics, particularly when it comes to the impact of organic matter and mineral dust on aerosol absorption. Through interactions with aerosol clouds and aerosol radiation, atmospheric aerosols have an impact on the earth-atmosphere system (ARIs and ACIs, respectively). Both ARIs and ACIs heavily rely on the aerosol's optical characteristics.