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Fatty alcohols (FAs) are major components of surface lipids in plant leaves and serve as surface-active organic aerosols (OAs), which can act as primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs). To elucidate the origin and formation of secondary fatty alcohols (SFAs) in atmospheric aerosols, their mass size distribution in aerosol samples obtained from a deciduous forest canopy was measured in spring, summer, and autumn. The SFAs showed the highest concentration in spring (growing season), with n-nonacosan-10-ol being the most abundant. In spring and summer, the size peak of n15 nonacosan-10-ol was in particle size range >10.0 µm, whereas it was in the 1.9-3.0 µm range in autumn. The size distribution of n-nonacosan-10-ol did not show any significant correlation with that of the known biogenic tracers of pollen, soil, and fungal spores in spring and summer. The overall results, together with SFAs measured in plant leaves, as well as the literature, suggest that SFAs originate mostly from plant waxes, and that leaf senescence status is likely an important factor controlling the size distribution of SFAs. This study provides new insights into the possible sources of PBAPs and their effects on the ice nucleation activity of aerosols based on seasonal changes in particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty alcohols (FAs) are major components of surface lipids (waxes) and can act as surface-active organic aerosols in the atmosphere, influencing chemical reactions, particle lifetimes, and the formation of cloud droplets and ice nuclei. However, studies on the composition and source of the FAs in atmospheric aerosols are very limited. In this study, we identified five secondary FAs (SFAs) with C27 and C29 from aerosol samples collected throughout one year at two different deciduous forest sites in Japan. Fatty diols, such as n-heptacosan-5,10-diol, were identified in atmospheric aerosols for the first time. Among the identified SFAs, n-nonacosan-10-ol was the most abundant compound, followed by n-nonacosan-5-10-diol at both of the forest sites. Concentrations of the SFAs exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with pronounced peaks during the growing season at each forest site. The SFAs showed significant correlation with sucrose, which is used as a molecular tracer of pollen. A significant fraction of the SFAs was attributed to the submicrometer particles in the growing season. The results indicate that they originated mostly from plant wax and could be used as useful tracers for primary biological aerosol particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]