scholarly journals Aqueous-Phase Brown Carbon Formation from Aromatic Precursors under Sunlight Conditions

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristijan Vidović ◽  
Ana Kroflič ◽  
Martin Šala ◽  
Irena Grgić
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Concentration Ratio ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Carbon Formation ◽  
Primary Reaction ◽  
Brown Carbon ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Characteristic Mass

At present, there are still numerous unresolved questions concerning the mechanisms of light-absorbing organic aerosol (brown carbon, BrC) formation in the atmosphere. Moreover, there is growing evidence that chemical processes in the atmospheric aqueous phase can be important. In this work, we investigate the aqueous-phase formation of BrC from 3-methylcatechol (3MC) under simulated sunlight conditions. The influence of different HNO2/NO2− concentrations on the kinetics of 3MC degradation and BrC formation was investigated. Under illumination, the degradation of 3MC is faster (k2nd(global) = 0.075 M−1·s−1) in comparison to its degradation in the dark under the same solution conditions (k2nd = 0.032 M−1·s−1). On the other hand, the yield of the main two products of the dark reaction (3-methyl-5-nitrocatechol, 3M5NC, and 3-methyl-4-nitrocatechol, 3M4NC) is low, suggesting different degradation pathways of 3MC in the sunlight. Besides the known primary reaction products with distinct absorption at 350 nm, second-generation products responsible for the absorption above 400 nm (e.g., hydroxy-3-methyl-5-nitrocatechol, 3M5NC-OH, and the oxidative cleavage products of 3M4NC) were also confirmed in the reaction mixture. The characteristic mass absorption coefficient (MAC) values were found to increase with the increase of NO2−/3MC concentration ratio (at the concentration ratio of 50, MAC is greater than 4 m2·g−1 at 350 nm) and decrease with the increasing wavelength, which is characteristic for BrC. Yet, in the dark, roughly 50% more BrC is produced at comparable solution conditions (in terms of MAC values). Our findings reveal that the aqueous-phase processing of 3MC in the presence of HNO2/NO2−, both under the sunlight and in the dark, may significantly contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) light absorption.

scholarly journals Aging of atmospheric aerosols and the role of iron in catalyzing brown carbon formation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hind A. A. Al-Abadleh
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Atmospheric Oxidation ◽  
Carbon Formation ◽  
Brown Carbon ◽  
Volatile Organic

Extensive research has been done on the processes that lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) including atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from biogenic and anthropogenic...

scholarly journals In-cloud processes of methacrolein under simulated conditions – Part 3: Hygroscopic and volatility properties of the formed Secondary Organic Aerosol

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 6451-6482 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Michaud ◽  
I. El Haddad ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
K. Sellegri ◽  
P. Laj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Hygroscopic Growth ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Hygroscopic Properties ◽  
Refractory Compounds ◽  
Global Estimation

Abstract. The hygroscopic and volatility properties of SOA produced from the nebulization of solutions after aqueous phase photooxidation of methacrolein was experimentally studied in laboratory, using a Volatility-Hygroscopicity Tandem DMA (VHTDMA). The obtained SOA were 80% 100°C-volatile after 5 h of reaction and only 20% 100°C-volatile after 22 h of reaction. The Hygroscopic Growth Factor (HGF) of the SOA produced from the nebulization of solutions after aqueous-phase photooxidation of methacrolein is 1.34–1.43, which is significantly higher than the HGF of SOA formed by gas-phase phtooxidation of terpenes, usually found nearly hydrophobic. These hygroscopic properties were confirmed for SOA formed by the nebulization of the same solutions where NaCl was added. The hygroscopic properties of the cloud droplet residuals decrease with the reaction time, in parallel with the formation of more refractory compounds. This decrease was mainly attributed to the 250°C-refractive fraction (presumably representative of the highest molecular weigh compounds), evolved from moderately hygroscopic (HGF of 1.52) to less hygroscopic (HGF of 1.36). Oligomerization is suggested as a process responsible for the decrease of both volatility and hygroscopicity with time. The NaCl seeded experiments enabled us to show that 19±4 mg L−1 of SOA was produced after 9.5 h of reaction and 41±9 mg L−1 after 22 h of in-cloud reaction. Because more and more SOA is formed as the reaction time increases, our results show that the reaction products formed during the aqueous-phase OH-oxidation of methacrolein may play a major role in the properties of residual particles upon droplet's evaporation. Therefore, the specific physical properties of SOA produced during cloud processes should be taken into account for a global estimation of SOA and their atmospheric impacts.

scholarly journals Glyoxal processing outside clouds: towards a kinetic modeling framework of secondary organic aerosol formation in aqueous particles

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 12371-12431 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ervens ◽  
R. Volkamer
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Rate Constants ◽  
Surface Composition ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Particle Surface ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract. This study presents a modeling framework based on laboratory data to describe the kinetics of glyoxal reactions in aqueous aerosol particles that form secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Recent laboratory results on glyoxal reactions are reviewed and a consistent set of reaction rate constants is derived that captures the kinetics of glyoxal hydration and subsequent reversible and irreversible reactions in aqueous inorganic and water-soluble organic aerosol seeds to form (a) oligomers, (b) nitrogen-containing products, (c) photochemical oxidation products with high molecular weight. These additional aqueous phase processes enhance the SOA formation rate in particles compared to cloud droplets and yield two to three orders of magnitude more SOA than predicted based on reaction schemes for dilute aqueous phase (cloud) chemistry. The application of this new module in a chemical box model demonstrates that both the time scale to reach aqueous phase equilibria and the choice of rate constants of irreversible reactions have a pronounced effect on the atmospheric relevance of SOA formation from glyoxal. During day time a photochemical (most likely radical-initiated) process is the major SOA formation pathway forming ~5 μg m−3 SOA over 12 h (assuming a constant glyoxal mixing ratio of 300 ppt). During night time, reactions of nitrogen-containing compounds (ammonium, amines, amino acids) contribute most to the predicted SOA mass; however, the absolute predicted SOA masses are reduced by an order of magnitude as compared to day time production. The contribution of the ammonium reaction significantly increases in moderately acidic or neutral particles (5<pH<7). Reversible glyoxal oligomerization, parameterized by an equilibrium constant Kolig=1000 (in ammonium sulfate solution), contributes <1% to total predicted SOA masses at any time. Sensitivity tests reveal five parameters that strongly affect the predicted SOA mass from glyoxal: (1) time scales to reach equilibrium states (as opposed to assuming instantaneous equilibrium), (2) particle pH, (3) chemical composition of the bulk aerosol, (4) particle surface composition, and (5) particle liquid water content that is mostly determined by the amount and hygroscopicity of aerosol mass and to a lesser extent by the ambient relative humidity. Glyoxal serves as an example molecule, and the conclusions about SOA formation in aqueous particles can serve for comparative studies also of other molecules that form SOA as the result of multiphase chemical processing in aerosol water. This SOA source is currently underrepresented in atmospheric models; if included it is likely to bring SOA predictions (mass and O/C ratio) into better agreement with field observations.

scholarly journals Chemical characterization of the main secondary organic aerosol (SOA) products formed through aqueous-phase photonitration of guaiacol

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 3993-4032
Author(s):  
Z. Kitanovski ◽  
A. Čusak ◽  
I. Grgić ◽  
M. Claeys
Keyword(s):  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Esi Ms

Abstract. Guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) and its derivatives can be emitted into the atmosphere by thermal degradation (i.e. burning) of wood lignins. Due to its volatility, guaiacol is predominantly distributed in the atmospheric gaseous phase. Recent studies have shown the importance of aqueous-phase reactions in addition to the dominant gas-phase and heterogeneous reactions of guaiacol, in the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere. The main objectives of the present study were to chemically characterize the low-volatility SOA products of the aqueous-phase photonitration of guaiacol and examine their possible presence in urban atmospheric aerosols. The aqueous-phase reactions were carried out under simulated sunlight and in the presence of H2O2 and nitrite. The formed guaiacol reaction products were concentrated by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and then purified by means of semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fractionated individual compounds were isolated as pure solids and further analyzed with liquid-state 1H, 13C and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and direct infusion negative ion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry ((–)ESI-MS/MS). The NMR and product ion (MS2) spectra were used for unambiguous product structure elucidation. The main products of guaiacol photonitration are 4-nitroguaiacol (4NG), 6-nitroguaiacol (6NG), and 4,6-dinitroguaiacol (4,6DNG). Using the isolated compounds as standards, 4NG and 4,6DNG were unambiguously identified in winter PM10 aerosols from the city of Ljubljana (Slovenia) by means of HPLC/(–)ESI-MS/MS. Owing to the strong absorption of UV and visible light, 4,6DNG could be an important constituent of atmospheric "brown" carbon, especially in regions affected by biomass burning.

scholarly journals Brown Carbon Formation by Aqueous-Phase Carbonyl Compound Reactions with Amines and Ammonium Sulfate

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 985-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Powelson ◽  
Brenna M. Espelien ◽  
Lelia N. Hawkins ◽  
Melissa M. Galloway ◽  
David O. De Haan
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Carbonyl Compound ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Carbon Formation ◽  
Brown Carbon

scholarly journals In-cloud processes of methacrolein under simulated conditions – Part 3: Hygroscopic and volatility properties of the formed secondary organic aerosol

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (14) ◽  
pp. 5119-5130 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Michaud ◽  
I. El Haddad ◽  
K. Sellegri ◽  
P. Laj ◽  
P. Villani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Hygroscopic Growth ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Hygroscopic Properties ◽  
Refractory Compounds

Abstract. The hygroscopic and volatility properties of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced from the nebulization of solutions after aqueous phase photooxidation of methacrolein was experimentally studied in a laboratory, using a Volatility-Hygroscopicity Tandem DMA (VHTDMA). The obtained SOA were 80% 100°C-volatile after 5 h of reaction and only 20% 100°C-volatile after 22 h of reaction. The Hygroscopic Growth Factor (HGF) of the SOA produced from the nebulization of solutions after aqueous-phase photooxidation of methacrolein is 1.34–1.43, which is significantly higher than the HGF of SOA formed by gas-phase photooxidation of terpenes, usually found almost hydrophobic. These hygroscopic properties were confirmed for SOA formed by the nebulization of the same solutions where NaCl was added. The hygroscopic properties of the cloud droplet residuals decrease with the reaction time, in parallel with the formation of more refractory compounds. This decrease was mainly attributed to the 250°C-refractive fraction (presumably representative of the highest molecular weight compounds), which evolved from moderately hygroscopic (HGF of 1.52) to less hygroscopic (HGF of 1.36). Oligomerization is suggested as a process responsible for the decrease of both volatility and hygroscopicity with time. The NaCl seeded experiments enabled us to show that 19±4 mg L−1 of SOA was produced after 9.5 h of reaction and 41±9 mg L−1 after 22 h of in-cloud reaction. Because more and more SOA is formed as the reaction time increases, our results show that the reaction products formed during the aqueous-phase OH-oxidation of methacrolein may play a major role in the properties of residual particles upon the droplet's evaporation. Therefore, the specific physical properties of SOA produced during cloud processes should be taken into account for a global estimation of SOA and their atmospheric impacts.

scholarly journals In-cloud processes of methacrolein under simulated conditions – Part 1: Aqueous phase photooxidation

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 6397-6424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Liu ◽  
I. El Haddad ◽  
M. Scarfogliero ◽  
L. Nieto-Gligorovski ◽  
B. Temime-Roussel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Cloud Droplet ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Main Reaction ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Primary Reaction ◽  
Carbon Yield ◽  
Upper Limit

Abstract. The photooxidation of methacrolein was studied in the aqueous phase under simulated cloud droplet conditions. The obtained rate constant of OH-oxidation of methacrolein at 6°C in unbuffered solutions was 5.8 (±0.9)×109 M−1 s−1. This kinetic study showed that the oxidation proceeds mainly by OH-addition on the C=C bond. This was confirmed by the mechanism established on the study of the reaction products (at 25°C in unbuffered solutions) where methylglyoxal, formaldehyde, hydroxyacetone and acetic acid/acetate were the main reaction products. An upper limit for the total carbon yield was estimated to range from 53 to 85%, indicating that some reaction products remain unidentified. A possible source of this mismatch is the formation of higher molecular weight compounds as primary reaction products which are presented in El Haddad et al. (2009) and Michaud et al. (2009).

scholarly journals Glyoxal processing by aerosol multiphase chemistry: towards a kinetic modeling framework of secondary organic aerosol formation in aqueous particles

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 8219-8244 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ervens ◽  
R. Volkamer
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Rate Constants ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Liquid Water Content ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Kinetics Of

Abstract. This study presents a modeling framework based on laboratory data to describe the kinetics of glyoxal reactions that form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in aqueous aerosol particles. Recent laboratory results on glyoxal reactions are reviewed and a consistent set of empirical reaction rate constants is derived that captures the kinetics of glyoxal hydration and subsequent reversible and irreversible reactions in aqueous inorganic and water-soluble organic aerosol seeds. Products of these processes include (a) oligomers, (b) nitrogen-containing products, (c) photochemical oxidation products with high molecular weight. These additional aqueous phase processes enhance the SOA formation rate in particles and yield two to three orders of magnitude more SOA than predicted based on reaction schemes for dilute aqueous phase (cloud) chemistry for the same conditions (liquid water content, particle size). The application of the new module including detailed chemical processes in a box model demonstrates that both the time scale to reach aqueous phase equilibria and the choice of rate constants of irreversible reactions have a pronounced effect on the predicted atmospheric relevance of SOA formation from glyoxal. During day time, a photochemical (most likely radical-initiated) process is the major SOA formation pathway forming ∼5 μg m−3 SOA over 12 h (assuming a constant glyoxal mixing ratio of 300 ppt). During night time, reactions of nitrogen-containing compounds (ammonium, amines, amino acids) contribute most to the predicted SOA mass; however, the absolute predicted SOA masses are reduced by an order of magnitude as compared to day time production. The contribution of the ammonium reaction significantly increases in moderately acidic or neutral particles (5 < pH < 7). Glyoxal uptake into ammonium sulfate seed under dark conditions can be represented with a single reaction parameter keffupt that does not depend on aerosol loading or water content, which indicates a possibly catalytic role of aerosol water in SOA formation. However, the reversible nature of uptake under dark conditions is not captured by keffupt, and can be parameterized by an effective Henry's law constant including an equilibrium constant Kolig = 1000 (in ammonium sulfate solution). Such reversible glyoxal oligomerization contributes <1% to total predicted SOA masses at any time. Sensitivity tests reveal five parameters that strongly affect the predicted SOA mass from glyoxal: (1) time scales to reach equilibrium states (as opposed to assuming instantaneous equilibrium), (2) particle pH, (3) chemical composition of the bulk aerosol, (4) particle surface composition, and (5) particle liquid water content that is mostly determined by the amount and hygroscopicity of aerosol mass and to a lesser extent by the ambient relative humidity. Glyoxal serves as an example molecule, and the conclusions about SOA formation in aqueous particles can serve for comparative studies of other molecules that form SOA as the result of multiphase chemical processing in aerosol water. This SOA source is currently underrepresented in atmospheric models; if included it is likely to bring SOA predictions (mass and O/C ratio) into better agreement with field observations.

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