scholarly journals Examining the effects of anthropogenic emissions on isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol formation during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) at the Look Rock, Tennessee ground site

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (15) ◽  
pp. 8871-8888 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Budisulistiorini ◽  
X. Li ◽  
S. T. Bairai ◽  
J. Renfro ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract. A suite of offline and real-time gas- and particle-phase measurements was deployed at Look Rock, Tennessee (TN), during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) to examine the effects of anthropogenic emissions on isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. High- and low-time-resolution PM2.5 samples were collected for analysis of known tracer compounds in isoprene-derived SOA by gas chromatography/electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection-electrospray ionization-high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/DAD-ESI-HR-QTOFMS). Source apportionment of the organic aerosol (OA) was determined by positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of mass spectrometric data acquired on an Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). Campaign average mass concentrations of the sum of quantified isoprene-derived SOA tracers contributed to ~ 9 % (up to 28 %) of the total OA mass, with isoprene-epoxydiol (IEPOX) chemistry accounting for ~ 97 % of the quantified tracers. PMF analysis resolved a factor with a profile similar to the IEPOX-OA factor resolved in an Atlanta study and was therefore designated IEPOX-OA. This factor was strongly correlated (r2 > 0.7) with 2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, IEPOX-derived organosulfates, and dimers of organosulfates, confirming the role of IEPOX chemistry as the source. On average, IEPOX-derived SOA tracer mass was ~ 26 % (up to 49 %) of the IEPOX-OA factor mass, which accounted for 32 % of the total OA. A low-volatility oxygenated organic aerosol (LV-OOA) and an oxidized factor with a profile similar to 91Fac observed in areas where emissions are biogenic-dominated were also resolved by PMF analysis, whereas no primary organic aerosol (POA) sources could be resolved. These findings were consistent with low levels of primary pollutants, such as nitric oxide (NO ~ 0.03 ppb), carbon monoxide (CO ~ 116 ppb), and black carbon (BC ~ 0.2 μg m−3). Particle-phase sulfate is fairly correlated (r2 ~ 0.3) with both methacrylic acid epoxide (MAE)/hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (HMML)- (henceforth called methacrolein (MACR)-derived SOA tracers) and IEPOX-derived SOA tracers, and more strongly correlated (r2 ~ 0.6) with the IEPOX-OA factor, in sum suggesting an important role of sulfate in isoprene SOA formation. Moderate correlation between the MACR-derived SOA tracer 2-methylglyceric acid with sum of reactive and reservoir nitrogen oxides (NOy; r2 = 0.38) and nitrate (r2 = 0.45) indicates the potential influence of anthropogenic emissions through long-range transport. Despite the lack of a clear association of IEPOX-OA with locally estimated aerosol acidity and liquid water content (LWC), box model calculations of IEPOX uptake using the simpleGAMMA model, accounting for the role of acidity and aerosol water, predicted the abundance of the IEPOX-derived SOA tracers 2-methyltetrols and the corresponding sulfates with good accuracy (r2 ~ 0.5 and ~ 0.7, respectively). The modeling and data combined suggest an anthropogenic influence on isoprene-derived SOA formation through acid-catalyzed heterogeneous chemistry of IEPOX in the southeastern US. However, it appears that this process was not limited by aerosol acidity or LWC at Look Rock during SOAS. Future studies should further explore the extent to which acidity and LWC as well as aerosol viscosity and morphology becomes a limiting factor of IEPOX-derived SOA, and their modulation by anthropogenic emissions.

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 7365-7417 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Budisulistiorini ◽  
X. Li ◽  
S. T. Bairai ◽  
J. Renfro ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract. A suite of offline and real-time gas- and particle-phase measurements was deployed at Look Rock, Tennessee (TN), during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) to examine the effects of anthropogenic emissions on isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation. High- and low-time resolution PM2.5 samples were collected for analysis of known tracer compounds in isoprene-derived SOA by gas chromatography/electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection-electrospray ionization-high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/DAD-ESI-HR-QTOFMS). Source apportionment of the organic aerosol (OA) was determined by positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of mass spectrometric data acquired on an Aerodyne Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM). Campaign average mass concentrations of the sum of quantified isoprene-derived SOA tracers contributed to ~9% (up to 26%) of the total OA mass, with isoprene-epoxydiol (IEPOX) chemistry accounting for ~97% of the quantified tracers. PMF analysis resolved a factor with a profile similar to the IEPOX-OA factor resolved in an Atlanta study and was therefore designated IEPOX-OA. This factor was strongly correlated (r2>0.7) with 2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, IEPOX-derived organosulfates, and dimers of organosulfates, confirming the role of IEPOX chemistry as the source. On average, IEPOX-derived SOA tracer mass was ~25% (up to 47%) of the IEPOX-OA factor mass, which accounted for 32% of the total OA. A low-volatility oxygenated organic aerosol (LV-OOA) and an oxidized factor with a profile similar to 91Fac observed in areas where emissions are biogenic-dominated were also resolved by PMF analysis, whereas no primary organic aerosol (POA) sources could be resolved. These findings were consistent with low levels of primary pollutants, such as nitric oxide (NO~0.03ppb), carbon monoxide (CO~116 ppb), and black carbon (BC~0.2 μg m−3). Particle-phase sulfate is fairly correlated (r2~0.3) with both MAE- and IEPOX-derived SOA tracers, and more strongly correlated (r2~0.6) with the IEPOX-OA factor, in sum suggesting an important role of sulfate in isoprene SOA formation. Moderate correlation between the methacrylic acid epoxide (MAE)-derived SOA tracer 2-methylglyceric acid with sum of reactive and reservoir nitrogen oxides (NOy; r2=0.38) and nitrate (r2=0.45) indicates the potential influence of anthropogenic emissions through long-range transport. Despite the lack of a~clear association of IEPOX-OA with locally estimated aerosol acidity and liquid water content (LWC), box model calculations of IEPOX uptake using the simpleGAMMA model, accounting for the role of acidity and aerosol water, predicted the abundance of the IEPOX-derived SOA tracers 2-methyltetrols and the corresponding sulfates with good accuracy (r2~0.5 and ~0.7, respectively). The modeling and data combined suggest an anthropogenic influence on isoprene-derived SOA formation through acid-catalyzed heterogeneous chemistry of IEPOX in the southeastern US. However, it appears that this process was not limited by aerosol acidity or LWC at Look Rock during SOAS. Future studies should further explore the extent to which acidity and LWC becomes a limiting factor of IEPOX-derived SOA, and their modulation by anthropogenic emissions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 4897-4914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weruka Rattanavaraha ◽  
Kevin Chu ◽  
Sri Hapsari Budisulistiorini ◽  
Matthieu Riva ◽  
Ying-Hsuan Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract. In the southeastern US, substantial emissions of isoprene from deciduous trees undergo atmospheric oxidation to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) that contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Laboratory studies have revealed that anthropogenic pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and aerosol acidity, can enhance SOA formation from the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation of isoprene; however, the mechanisms by which specific pollutants enhance isoprene SOA in ambient PM2.5 remain unclear. As one aspect of an investigation to examine how anthropogenic pollutants influence isoprene-derived SOA formation, high-volume PM2.5 filter samples were collected at the Birmingham, Alabama (BHM), ground site during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS). Sample extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography–electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) with prior trimethylsilylation and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS) to identify known isoprene SOA tracers. Tracers quantified using both surrogate and authentic standards were compared with collocated gas- and particle-phase data as well as meteorological data provided by the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network to assess the impact of anthropogenic pollution on isoprene-derived SOA formation. Results of this study reveal that isoprene-derived SOA tracers contribute a substantial mass fraction of organic matter (OM) ( ∼  7 to  ∼  20 %). Isoprene-derived SOA tracers correlated with sulfate (SO42−) (r2 = 0.34, n = 117) but not with NOx. Moderate correlations between methacrylic acid epoxide and hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (together abbreviated MAE/HMML)-derived SOA tracers with nitrate radical production (P[NO3]) (r2 = 0.57, n = 40) were observed during nighttime, suggesting a potential role of the NO3 radical in forming this SOA type. However, the nighttime correlation of these tracers with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (r2 = 0.26, n = 40) was weaker. Ozone (O3) correlated strongly with MAE/HMML-derived tracers (r2 = 0.72, n = 30) and moderately with 2-methyltetrols (r2 = 0.34, n = 15) during daytime only, suggesting that a fraction of SOA formation could occur from isoprene ozonolysis in urban areas. No correlation was observed between aerosol pH and isoprene-derived SOA. Lack of correlation between aerosol acidity and isoprene-derived SOA is consistent with the observation that acidity is not a limiting factor for isoprene SOA formation at the BHM site as aerosols were acidic enough to promote multiphase chemistry of isoprene-derived epoxides throughout the duration of the study. All in all, these results confirm previous studies suggesting that anthropogenic pollutants enhance isoprene-derived SOA formation.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 3095-3134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-H. Lin ◽  
E. M. Knipping ◽  
E. S. Edgerton ◽  
S. L. Shaw ◽  
J. D. Surratt

Abstract. Filter-based PM2.5 samples were chemically analyzed to investigate secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from isoprene in a rural atmosphere of the southeastern US influenced by both anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Daytime PM2.5 samples were collected during summer 2010 using conditional sampling approaches based on pre-defined high and low SO2 or NH3 thresholds. Known molecular-level tracers for isoprene SOA formation, including 2-methylglyceric acid, 3-methyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols, 2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, dimers, and organosulfate derivatives, were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-Q-TOFMS). Mass concentrations of six isoprene low-NOx SOA tracers contributed to 12–19% of total organic matter (OM) in PM2.5 samples collected during the sampling period, indicating the importance of the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation (so-called photooxidation) of isoprene under low-NOx conditions that leads to SOA formation through reactive uptake of gaseous isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) in this region. IEPOX-derived SOA tracers were enhanced under high-SO2 sampling scenarios, suggesting that SO2 oxidation increases aerosol acidity of sulfate aerosols needed for enhancing heterogeneous oxirane ring-opening reactions of IEPOX. No clear associations between isoprene SOA formation and high and low NH3 conditional samples were found. Furthermore, weak correlations between aerosol acidity and mass of IEPOX SOA tracers suggests that IEPOX-derived SOA formation might be modulated by other factors as well in addition to aerosol acidity. Positive correlations between sulfate aerosol loadings and IEPOX-derived SOA tracers for samples collected under all conditions indicates that sulfate aerosol could be a surrogate for surface area in the uptake of IEPOX onto preexisting aerosols.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8457-8470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-H. Lin ◽  
E. M. Knipping ◽  
E. S. Edgerton ◽  
S. L. Shaw ◽  
J. D. Surratt

Abstract. Filter-based PM2.5 samples were chemically analyzed to investigate secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from isoprene in a rural atmosphere of the southeastern US influenced by both anthropogenic sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ammonia (NH3) emissions. Daytime PM2.5 samples were collected during summer 2010 using conditional sampling approaches based on pre-defined high and low SO2 or NH3 thresholds. Known molecular-level tracers for isoprene SOA formation, including 2-methylglyceric acid, 3-methyltetrahydrofuran-3,4-diols, 2-methyltetrols, C5-alkene triols, dimers, and organosulfate derivatives, were identified and quantified by gas chromatography coupled to electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-Q-TOFMS). Mass concentrations of six isoprene low-NOx SOA tracers contributed to 12–19% of total organic matter (OM) in PM2.5 samples collected during the sampling period, indicating the importance of the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation (so-called photooxidation) of isoprene under low-NOx conditions that lead to SOA formation through reactive uptake of gaseous isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) in this region. The contribution of the IEPOX-derived SOA tracers to total organic matter was enhanced by 1.4% (p = 0.012) under high-SO2 sampling scenarios, although only weak associations between aerosol acidity and mass of IEPOX SOA tracers were observed. This suggests that IEPOX-derived SOA formation might be modulated by other factors simultaneously, rather than only aerosol acidity. No clear associations between isoprene SOA formation and high or low NH3 conditional samples were found. Positive correlations between sulfate aerosol loadings and IEPOX-derived SOA tracers for samples collected under all conditions indicates that sulfate aerosol could be a surrogate for surface accommodation in the uptake of IEPOX onto preexisting aerosols.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Rattanavaraha ◽  
K. Chu ◽  
S. H. Budisulistiorini ◽  
M. Riva ◽  
Y.-H. Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract. In the southeastern U.S., substantial emissions of isoprene from deciduous trees undergo atmospheric oxidation to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) that contributes to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Laboratory studies have revealed that anthropogenic pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and aerosol acidity, can enhance SOA formation from the hydroxyl radical (OH)-initiated oxidation of isoprene; however, the mechanisms by which specific pollutants enhance isoprene SOA in ambient PM2.5 remain unclear. As one aspect of an investigation to examine how anthropogenic pollutants influence isoprene-derived SOA formation, high-volume PM2.5 filter samples were collected at the Birmingham, Alabama (BHM) ground site during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS). Sample extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS) with prior trimethylsilylation and ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR QTOFMS) to identify known isoprene SOA tracers. Tracers quantified using both surrogate and authentic standards were compared with collocated gas- and particle-phase data as well as meteorological data provided by the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network to assess the impact of anthropogenic pollution on isoprene-derived SOA formation. Results of this study reveal that isoprene-derived SOA tracers contribute a substantial mass fraction of organic matter (OM) (~7 to ~20%). Isoprene-derived SOA tracers correlated with sulfate (SO42-) (r2 = 0.34, n = 117), but not with NOx. Moderate correlation between methacrylic acid epoxide and hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (MAE/HMML)-derived SOA tracers and nitrate radical production (P[NO3]) (r2 = 0.57, n = 40) were observed during nighttime, suggesting a potential role of NO3 radical in forming this SOA type. However, the nighttime correlation of these tracers with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (r2 = 0.26, n = 40) was weaker. Ozone (O3) correlated strongly with MAE/HMML-derived tracers (r2 = 0.72, n = 30) and moderately with 2-methyltetrols (r2 = 0.34, n = 15) during daytime only, suggesting that a fraction of SOA formation could occur from isoprene ozonolysis in urban areas. No correlation was observed between aerosol pH and isoprene-derived SOA. Lack of correlation between aerosol acidity and isoprene-derived SOA indicates that acidity is not a limiting factor for isoprene SOA formation at the BHM site as aerosols were acidic enough to promote multiphase chemistry of isoprene-derived epoxides throughout the duration of the study. All in all, these results confirm the reports that anthropogenic pollutants enhance isoprene-derived SOA formation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 3191-3206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anusha Priyadarshani Silva Hettiyadura ◽  
Ibrahim M. Al-Naiema ◽  
Dagen D. Hughes ◽  
Ting Fang ◽  
Elizabeth A. Stone

Abstract. Organosulfates are secondary organic aerosol (SOA) products that form from reactions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as isoprene, in the presence of sulfate that is primarily emitted by fossil fuel combustion. This study examines the anthropogenic influence on biogenic organosulfate formation at an urban site in Atlanta, Georgia (GA) in the southeastern United States (US). Organosulfates were analyzed in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collected during August 2015 in Atlanta using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and high-resolution time-of-flight (ToF) mass spectrometry. By their MS/MS response, 32 major organosulfate species were identified, selected species were quantified, and other species were semi-quantified using surrogate standards. Organosulfates accounted for 16.5 % of PM2.5 organic carbon (OC). Isoprene-derived organosulfates were the most abundant, dominated by methyltetrol sulfate which accounted for 12.6 % of PM2.5 OC. Together, the isoprene-derived organosulfates accounted for the majority of the isoprene-derived SOA that had been previously observed in Atlanta, but had not been identified at the molecular level. Other major species included seven monoterpene-derived organosulfates, five diesel and/or biodiesel-derived organosulfates, and three new organosulfates that are also expected to derive from isoprene. Organosulfate species and concentrations in Atlanta were compared to those in a rural forested site in Centreville, Alabama (AL) during summer 2013, which were also dominated by isoprene-derived organosulfates. In Atlanta, isoprene-derived organosulfate concentrations were 2–6 times higher and accounted for twice as much OC. The greatest enhancement in concentration was observed for 2-methylglyceric acid sulfate whose formation is enhanced in the presence of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2; NOx) and is a tracer for isoprene high-NOx SOA. The isoprene-derived organosulfates indicated a stronger influence of NOx in Atlanta compared to Centreville. Overall, these results suggest that SOA in the southeastern US can be reduced by controlling NOx and SO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. This study gives insights into the major organosulfate species that should be targets for future measurements in urban environments and standard development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 7531-7552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Bryant ◽  
William J. Dixon ◽  
James R. Hopkins ◽  
Rachel E. Dunmore ◽  
Kelly L. Pereira ◽  
...  

Abstract. Isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol (iSOA) is a significant contributor to organic carbon (OC) in some forested regions, such as tropical rainforests and the Southeastern US. However, its contribution to organic aerosol in urban areas that have high levels of anthropogenic pollutants is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the formation of anthropogenically influenced iSOA during summer in Beijing, China. Local isoprene emissions and high levels of anthropogenic pollutants, in particular NOx and particulate SO42-, led to the formation of iSOA under both high- and low-NO oxidation conditions, with significant heterogeneous transformations of isoprene-derived oxidation products to particulate organosulfates (OSs) and nitrooxy-organosulfates (NOSs). Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry was combined with a rapid automated data processing technique to quantify 31 proposed iSOA tracers in offline PM2.5 filter extracts. The co-elution of the inorganic ions in the extracts caused matrix effects that impacted two authentic standards differently. The average concentration of iSOA OSs and NOSs was 82.5 ng m−3, which was around 3 times higher than the observed concentrations of their oxygenated precursors (2-methyltetrols and 2-methylglyceric acid). OS formation was dependant on both photochemistry and the sulfate available for reactive uptake, as shown by a strong correlation with the product of ozone (O3) and particulate sulfate (SO42-). A greater proportion of high-NO OS products were observed in Beijing compared with previous studies in less polluted environments. The iSOA-derived OSs and NOSs represented 0.62 % of the oxidized organic aerosol measured by aerosol mass spectrometry on average, but this increased to ∼3 % on certain days. These results indicate for the first time that iSOA formation in urban Beijing is strongly controlled by anthropogenic emissions and results in extensive conversion to OS products from heterogenous reactions.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 707
Author(s):  
Petros Vasilakos ◽  
Yongtao Hu ◽  
Armistead Russell ◽  
Athanasios Nenes

Formation of aerosol from biogenic hydrocarbons relies heavily on anthropogenic emissions since they control the availability of species such as sulfate and nitrate, and through them, aerosol acidity (pH). To elucidate the role that acidity and emissions play in regulating Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA), we utilize the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) dataset to enhance the extensive mechanism of isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX)-mediated SOA formation implemented in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model (Pye et al., 2013), which was then used to investigate the impact of potential future emission controls on IEPOX OA. We found that the Henry’s law coefficient for IEPOX was the most impactful parameter that controls aqueous isoprene OA products, and a value of 1.9 × 107 M atm−1 provides the best agreement with measurements. Non-volatile cations (NVCs) were found in higher-than-expected quantities in CMAQ and exerted a significant influence on IEPOX OA by reducing its production by as much as 30% when present. Consistent with previous literature, a strong correlation of isoprene OA with sulfate, and little correlation with acidity or liquid water content, was found. Future reductions in SO2 emissions are found to not affect this correlation and generally act to increase the sensitivity of IEPOX OA to sulfate, even in extreme cases.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2091-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Shilling ◽  
R. A. Zaveri ◽  
J. D. Fast ◽  
L. Kleinman ◽  
M. L. Alexander ◽  
...  

Abstract. The CARES campaign was conducted during June, 2010 in the vicinity of Sacramento, California to study aerosol formation and aging in a region where anthropogenic and biogenic emissions regularly mix. Here, we describe measurements from an Aerodyne High Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS), an Ionicon Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS), and trace gas detectors (CO, NO, NOx) deployed on the G-1 research aircraft to investigate ambient gas- and particle-phase chemical composition. AMS measurements showed that the particle phase is dominated by organic aerosol (OA) (85% on average) with smaller concentrations of sulfate (5%), nitrate (6%) and ammonium (3%) observed. PTR-MS data showed that isoprene dominated the biogenic volatile organic compound concentrations (BVOCs), with monoterpene concentrations generally below the detection limit. Using two different metrics, median OA concentrations and the slope of plots of OA vs. CO concentrations (i.e., ΔOA/ΔCO), we contrast organic aerosol evolution on flight days with different prevailing meteorological conditions to elucidate the role of anthropogenic and biogenic emissions on OA formation. Airmasses influenced predominantly by biogenic emissions had median OA concentrations of 2.2 μg m−3 and near zero ΔOA/ΔCO. Those influenced predominantly by anthropogenic emissions had median OA concentrations of 4.7 μg m−3 and ΔOA/ΔCO ratios of 35–44 μg m−3 ppmv. But, when biogenic and anthropogenic emissions mixed, OA levels were enhanced, with median OA concentrations of 11.4 μg m−3 and ΔOA/ΔCO ratios of 77–157 μg m−3 ppmv. Taken together, our observations show that production of OA was enhanced when anthropogenic emissions from Sacramento mixed with isoprene-rich air from the foothills. After considering several anthropogenic/biogenic interaction mechanisms, we conclude that NOx concentrations play a strong role in enhancing SOA formation from isoprene, though the chemical mechanism for the enhancement remains unclear. If these observations are found to be robust in other seasons and in areas outside of Sacramento, regional and global aerosol modules will need to incorporate more complex representations of NOx-dependent SOA mechanisms and yields into their algorithms. Ultimately, accurately predicting OA mass concentrations and their effect on radiation balance will require a mechanistically-based treatment of the interactions of biogenic and anthropogenic emissions.


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