scholarly journals Investigation of the <i>β</i>-pinene photooxidation by OH in the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 6631-6650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Hendrik Fuchs ◽  
Ismail-Hakki Acir ◽  
Birger Bohn ◽  
Theo Brauers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Product Distribution ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Photochemical Degradation ◽  
Alkoxy Radical ◽  
Radical Intermediate ◽  
Atmosphere Simulation Chamber ◽  
Simulation Chamber

Abstract. Besides isoprene, monoterpenes are the non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with the highest global emission rates. Due to their high reactivity towards OH, monoterpenes can dominate the radical chemistry of the atmosphere in forested areas. In the present study the photochemical degradation mechanism of β-pinene was investigated in the Jülich atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR (Simulation of Atmospheric PHotochemistry In a large Reaction Chamber). One focus of this study is on the OH budget in the degradation process. Therefore, the SAPHIR chamber was equipped with instrumentation to measure radicals (OH, HO2, RO2), the total OH reactivity, important OH precursors (O3, HONO, HCHO), the parent VOC β-pinene, its main oxidation products, acetone and nopinone and photolysis frequencies. All experiments were carried out under low-NO conditions ( ≤  300 ppt) and at atmospheric β-pinene concentrations ( ≤  5 ppb) with and without addition of ozone. For the investigation of the OH budget, the OH production and destruction rates were calculated from measured quantities. Within the limits of accuracy of the instruments, the OH budget was balanced in all β-pinene oxidation experiments. However, even though the OH budget was closed, simulation results from the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) 3.2 showed that the OH production and destruction rates were underestimated by the model. The measured OH and HO2 concentrations were underestimated by up to a factor of 2, whereas the total OH reactivity was slightly overestimated because the model predicted a nopinone mixing ratio which was 3 times higher than measured. A new, theory-derived, first-generation product distribution by Vereecken and Peeters (2012) was able to reproduce the measured nopinone time series and the total OH reactivity. Nevertheless, the measured OH and HO2 concentrations remained underestimated by the numerical simulations. These observations together with the fact that the measured OH budget was closed suggest the existence of unaccounted sources of HO2. Although the mechanism of additional HO2 formation could not be resolved, our model studies suggest that an activated alkoxy radical intermediate proposed in the model of Vereecken and Peeters (2012) generates HO2 in a new pathway, whose importance has been underestimated so far. The proposed reaction path involves unimolecular rearrangement and decomposition reactions and photolysis of dicarbonyl products, yielding additional HO2 and CO. Further experiments and quantum chemical calculations have to be made to completely unravel the pathway of HO2 formation.

scholarly journals Investigation of the β-pinene photooxidation by OH in the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Hendrik Fuchs ◽  
Ismail-Hakki Acir ◽  
Birger Bohn ◽  
Theo Brauers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Product Distribution ◽  
High Reactivity ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Photochemical Degradation ◽  
Atmosphere Simulation Chamber ◽  
Simulation Chamber

Abstract. Beside isoprene, monoterpenes are the non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOC) with the highest global emission rates. Due to their high reactivity towards OH, monoterpenes can dominate the radical chemistry of the atmosphere in forested areas. In the present study the photochemical degradation mechanism of β-pinene was investigated in the Jülich atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR. The focus of this study is on the OH budget in the degradation process. Therefore the SAPHIR chamber was equipped with instrumentation to measure radicals (OH, HO2, RO2), the total OH reactivity, important OH precursors (O3, HONO, HCHO), the parent VOC beta-pinene, its main oxidation products, acetone and nopinone, and photolysis frequencies. All experiments were carried out under low NOx conditions (≤ 2 ppb) and at atmospheric beta-pinene concentrations (≤ 5 ppb) with and without addition of ozone. For the investigation of the OH budget, the OH production and destruction rates were calculated from measured quantities. Within the limits of accuracy of the instruments, the OH budget was balanced in all β-pinene oxidation experiments. However, even though the OH budget was closed, simulation results from the Master Chemical Mechanism 3.2 showed that the OH production and destruction rates were underestimated by the model. The measured OH and HO2 concentrations were underestimated by up to a factor of two whereas the total OH reactivity was slightly overestimated because of the poor reproduction of the measured nopinone by the model by up to a factor of three. A new, theory-derived first-generation product distribution by Vereecken and Peeters was able to reproduce the measured nopinone time series and the total OH reactivity. Nevertheless the measured OH and HO2 concentrations remained underestimated by the numerical simulations. These observations together with the fact that the measured OH budget was closed suggest the existence of unaccounted sources of HO2.

Investigating the NO-dependent photooxidation of limonene by OH and O3 using the atmosphere simulation chamber SAPHIR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yat Sing Pang ◽  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Anna Novelli ◽  
Philip Carlsson ◽  
Ismail-Hakki Acir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Reaction Pathways ◽  
Oh Radicals ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
Simulation Experiments ◽  
Master Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Atmosphere Simulation Chamber

&lt;p&gt;Limonene is the fourth-most abundant monoterpene in the atmosphere, which upon oxidation leads to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and thereby influences climate and air quality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, the oxidation of limonene by OH at different atmospherically relevant NO and HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; levels (NO: 0.1 &amp;#8211; 10 ppb; HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;: 20 ppt) was investigated in simulation experiments in the SAPHIR chamber at Forschungszentrum J&amp;#252;lich. The analysis focuses on comparing measured radical concentrations (RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, OH) and OH reactivity (k&lt;sub&gt;OH&lt;/sub&gt;) with modeled values calculated using the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) version 3.3.1.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At high and medium NO concentrations, RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; is expected to quickly react with NO. An HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; radical is produced during the process that can be converted back to an OH radical by another reaction with NO. Consistently, for experiments conducted at medium NO levels (~0.5 ppb, RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; lifetime ~10 s), simulated RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, and OH agree with observations within the measurement uncertainties, if the OH reactivity of oxidation products is correctly described.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At lower NO concentrations, the regeneration of HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; in the RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; + NO reaction is slow and the reaction of RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; with HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; gains importance in forming peroxides. However, simulation results show a large discrepancy between calculated radical concentrations and measurements at low NO levels (&lt;0.1 ppb, RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; lifetime ~ 100 s). Simulated RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations are found to be overestimated by a factor of three; simulated HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; concentrations are underestimated by 50 %; simulated OH concentrations are underestimated by about 35%, even if k&lt;sub&gt;OH&lt;/sub&gt; is correctly described. This suggests that there could be additional RO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; reaction pathways that regenerate HO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and OH radicals become important, but they are not taken into account in the MCM model.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Atmospheric OH reactivity in central London: observations, model predictions and estimates of in situ ozone production

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (21) ◽  
pp. 31247-31286
Author(s):  
L. K. Whalley ◽  
D. Stone ◽  
B. Bandy ◽  
R. Dunmore ◽  
J. F. Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Ozone Production ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Diurnal Profile ◽  
Biogenic Compounds ◽  
Master Chemical Mechanism ◽  
The Difference

Abstract. Near-continuous measurements of OH reactivity in the urban background atmosphere of central London during the summer of 2012 are presented. OH reactivity behaviour is seen to be broadly dependent on airmass origin with the highest reactivity and the most pronounced diurnal profile observed when air had passed over central London to the East, prior to measurement. Averaged over the entire observation period of 26 days, OH reactivity peaked at ~ 27 s−1 in the morning with a minimum of ~ 15 s−1 during the afternoon. A maximum OH reactivity of 116 s−1 was recorded on one day during morning rush hour. A detailed box model using the Master Chemical Mechanism was used to calculate OH reactivity, and was constrained with an extended measurement dataset of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from GC-FID and a two-dimensional GC instrument which included heavier molecular weight (up to C12) aliphatic VOCs, oxygenated VOCs and the biogenic VOCs of α pinene and limonene. Comparison was made between observed OH reactivity and modelled OH reactivity using (i) a standard suite of VOC measurements (C2-C8 hydrocarbons and a small selection of oxygenated VOCs) and (ii) a more comprehensive inventory including species up to C12. Modelled reactivities were lower than those measured (by 33 %) when only the reactivity of the standard VOC suite was considered. The difference between measured and modelled reactivity was improved, to within 15 %, if the reactivity of the higher VOCs (&amp;geq; C9) was also considered, with the reactivity of the biogenic compounds of α pinene and limonene and their oxidation products almost entirely responsible for this improvement. Further improvements in the model's ability to reproduce OH reactivity (to within 6 %) could be achieved if the reactivity and degradation mechanism of unassigned two-dimensional GC peaks were estimated. Neglecting the contribution of the higher VOCs (&amp;geq; C9) (particularly α pinene and limonene) and model-generated intermediates worsened the agreement between modelled and observed OH concentrations (by 41 %) and the magnitude of in situ ozone production calculated from the production of RO2 was significantly lower (60 %). This work highlights that any future ozone abatement strategies should consider the role that biogenic emissions play alongside anthropogenic emissions in influencing London's air quality.

scholarly journals Investigation of the <i>α</i>-pinene photooxidation by OH in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 11635-11649
Author(s):  
Michael Rolletter ◽  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Ismail-Hakki Acir ◽  
Birger Bohn ◽  
Hans-Peter Dorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Oxidation Mechanism ◽  
Peroxy Radical ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Measured Time ◽  
Simulation Chamber

Abstract. The photooxidation of the most abundant monoterpene, α-pinene, by the hydroxyl radical (OH) was investigated at atmospheric concentrations in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR. Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were below 120 pptv. Yields of organic oxidation products are determined from measured time series giving values of 0.11±0.05, 0.19±0.06, and 0.05±0.03 for formaldehyde, acetone, and pinonaldehyde, respectively. The pinonaldehyde yield is at the low side of yields measured in previous laboratory studies, ranging from 0.06 to 0.87. These studies were mostly performed at reactant concentrations much higher than observed in the atmosphere. Time series of measured radical and trace-gas concentrations are compared to results from model calculations applying the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) 3.3.1. The model predicts pinonaldehyde mixing ratios that are at least a factor of 4 higher than measured values. At the same time, modeled hydroxyl and hydroperoxy (HO2) radical concentrations are approximately 25 % lower than measured values. Vereecken et al. (2007) suggested a shift of the initial organic peroxy radical (RO2) distribution towards RO2 species that do not yield pinonaldehyde but produce other organic products. Implementing these modifications reduces the model–measurement gap of pinonaldehyde by 20 % and also improves the agreement in modeled and measured radical concentrations by 10 %. However, the chemical oxidation mechanism needs further adjustment to explain observed radical and pinonaldehyde concentrations. This could be achieved by adjusting the initial RO2 distribution, but could also be done by implementing alternative reaction channels of RO2 species that currently lead to the formation of pinonaldehyde in the model.

scholarly journals Atmospheric OH reactivity in central London: observations, model predictions and estimates of in situ ozone production

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 2109-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K. Whalley ◽  
Daniel Stone ◽  
Brian Bandy ◽  
Rachel Dunmore ◽  
Jacqueline F. Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Ozone Production ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Diurnal Profile ◽  
The Difference

Abstract. Near-continuous measurements of hydroxyl radical (OH) reactivity in the urban background atmosphere of central London during the summer of 2012 are presented. OH reactivity behaviour is seen to be broadly dependent on air mass origin, with the highest reactivity and the most pronounced diurnal profile observed when air had passed over central London to the east, prior to measurement. Averaged over the entire observation period of 26 days, OH reactivity peaked at  ∼  27 s−1 in the morning, with a minimum of  ∼  15 s−1 during the afternoon. A maximum OH reactivity of 116 s−1 was recorded on one day during morning rush hour. A detailed box model using the Master Chemical Mechanism was used to calculate OH reactivity, and was constrained with an extended measurement data set of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) derived from a gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and a two-dimensional GC instrument which included heavier molecular weight (up to C12) aliphatic VOCs, oxygenated VOCs and the biogenic VOCs α-pinene and limonene. Comparison was made between observed OH reactivity and modelled OH reactivity using (i) a standard suite of VOC measurements (C2–C8 hydrocarbons and a small selection of oxygenated VOCs) and (ii) a more comprehensive inventory including species up to C12. Modelled reactivities were lower than those measured (by 33 %) when only the reactivity of the standard VOC suite was considered. The difference between measured and modelled reactivity was improved, to within 15 %, if the reactivity of the higher VOCs (⩾ C9) was also considered, with the reactivity of the biogenic compounds of α-pinene and limonene and their oxidation products almost entirely responsible for this improvement. Further improvements in the model's ability to reproduce OH reactivity (to within 6 %) could be achieved if the reactivity and degradation mechanism of unassigned two-dimensional GC peaks were estimated. Neglecting the contribution of the higher VOCs (⩾ C9) (particularly α-pinene and limonene) and model-generated intermediates increases the modelled OH concentrations by 41 %, and the magnitude of in situ ozone production calculated from the production of RO2 was significantly lower (60 %). This work highlights that any future ozone abatement strategies should consider the role that biogenic emissions play alongside anthropogenic emissions in influencing London's air quality.

scholarly journals Photooxidation of pinonaldehyde at ambient conditions investigated in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 13701-13719
Author(s):  
Michael Rolletter ◽  
Marion Blocquet ◽  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Birger Bohn ◽  
Hans-Peter Dorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Effective Quantum Yield ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Hydroperoxy Radical ◽  
Photolysis Frequency ◽  
Model Constraint ◽  
Model Measurement ◽  
Simulation Chamber

Abstract. The photooxidation of pinonaldehyde, one product of the α-pinene degradation, was investigated in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR under natural sunlight at low NO concentrations (<0.2 ppbv) with and without an added hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenger. With a scavenger, pinonaldehyde was exclusively removed by photolysis, whereas without a scavenger, the degradation was dominated by reaction with OH. In both cases, the observed rate of pinonaldehyde consumption was faster than predicted by an explicit chemical model, the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM, version 3.3.1). In the case with an OH scavenger, the observed photolytic decay can be reproduced by the model if an experimentally determined photolysis frequency is used instead of the parameterization in the MCM. A good fit is obtained when the photolysis frequency is calculated from the measured solar actinic flux spectrum, absorption cross sections published by Hallquist et al. (1997), and an effective quantum yield of 0.9. The resulting photolysis frequency is 3.5 times faster than the parameterization in the MCM. When pinonaldehyde is mainly removed by reaction with OH, the observed OH and hydroperoxy radical (HO2) concentrations are underestimated in the model by a factor of 2. Using measured HO2 as a model constraint brings modeled and measured OH concentrations into agreement. This suggests that the chemical mechanism includes all relevant OH-producing reactions but is missing a source for HO2. The missing HO2 source strength of (0.8 to 1.5) ppbv h−1 is similar to the rate of the pinonaldehyde consumption of up to 2.5 ppbv h−1. When the model is constrained by HO2 concentrations and the experimentally derived photolysis frequency, the pinonaldehyde decay is well represented. The photolysis of pinonaldehyde yields 0.18 ± 0.20 formaldehyde molecules at NO concentrations of less than 200 pptv, but no significant acetone formation is observed. When pinonaldehyde is also oxidized by OH under low NO conditions (maximum 80 pptv), yields of acetone and formaldehyde increase over the course of the experiment from 0.2 to 0.3 and from 0.15 to 0.45, respectively. Fantechi et al. (2002) proposed a degradation mechanism based on quantum-chemical calculations, which is considerably more complex than the MCM scheme and contains additional reaction pathways and products. Implementing these modifications results in a closure of the model–measurement discrepancy for the products acetone and formaldehyde, when pinonaldehyde is degraded only by photolysis. In contrast, the underprediction of formed acetone and formaldehyde is worsened compared to model results by the MCM, when pinonaldehyde is mainly degraded in the reaction with OH. This shows that the current mechanisms lack acetone and formaldehyde sources for low NO conditions like in these experiments. Implementing the modifications suggested by Fantechi et al. (2002) does not improve the model–measurement agreement of OH and HO2.

scholarly journals Development and chamber evaluation of the MCM v3.2 degradation scheme for β-caryophyllene

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 2891-2974 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Jenkin ◽  
K. P. Wyche ◽  
C. J. Evans ◽  
T. Carr ◽  
P. S. Monks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Oh Radicals ◽  
Photo Oxidation ◽  
Primary Yield ◽  
Chamber Studies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Tof Ms

Abstract. A degradation mechanism for β-caryophyllene has recently been released as part of version 3.2 of the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM v3.2), describing the gas phase oxidation initiated by reaction with ozone, OH radicals and NO3 radicals. A detailed overview of the construction methodology is given, within the context of reported experimental and theoretical mechanistic appraisals. The performance of the mechanism has been evaluated in chamber simulations in which the gas phase chemistry was coupled to a representation of the gas-to-aerosol partitioning of 280 multi-functional oxidation products. This evaluation exercise considered data from a number of chamber studies of either the ozonolysis of β-caryophyllene, or the photo-oxidation of β-caryophyllene/NOx mixtures, in which detailed product distributions have been reported. This includes the results of a series of photo-oxidation experiments performed in the University of Manchester aerosol chamber, also reported here, in which a comprehensive characterization of the temporal evolution of the organic product distribution in the gas phase was carried out, using Chemical Ionisation Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (CIR-TOF-MS), in conjunction with measurements of NOx, O3 and SOA mass loading. The CIR-TOF-MS measurements allowed approximately 45 time-resolved product ion signals to be detected, which were assigned on the basis of the simulated temporal profiles of the more abundant MCM v3.2 species, and their probable fragmentation patterns. The evaluation studies demonstrate that the MCM v3.2 mechanism provides a generally acceptable description of β-caryophyllene degradation, under the chamber conditions considered, and a reliable basis for simulations where a representation of chemical detail is required. The studies have also highlighted a number of areas of uncertainty, where further investigation would be valuable to help interpret the results of chamber studies and improve detailed mechanistic understanding. These particularly include: (i) quantification of the yield and stability of the secondary ozonide (denoted BCSOZ in MCM v3.2), formed from β-caryophyllene ozonolysis, and elucidation of the details of its further oxidation, including whether the products retain the "ozonide" functionality; (ii) investigation of the impact of NOx on the β-caryophyllene ozonolysis mechanism, in particular its effect on the formation of β-caryophyllinic acid (denoted C137CO2H in MCM v3.2), and elucidation of its formation mechanism; (iii) routine independent identification of β-caryophyllinic acid, and its potentially significant isomer β-nocaryophyllonic acid (denoted C131CO2H in MCM v3.2); (iv) more precise quantification of the primary yield of OH (and other radicals) from β-caryophyllene ozonolysis; (v) quantification of the yields of the first-generation hydroxy nitrates (denoted BCANO3, BCBNO3 and BCCNO3 in MCM v3.2) from the OH-initiated chemistry in the presence of NOx; and (vi) further studies in general to improve the identification and quantification of products formed from both ozonolysis and photo-oxidation, including confirmation of the simulated formation of multifunctional species containing hydroperoxide groups, and their important contribution to SOA under NOx-free conditions.

scholarly journals Investigation of the α-pinene photooxidation by OH in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rolletter ◽  
Martin Kaminski ◽  
Ismail-Hakki Acir ◽  
Birger Bohn ◽  
Hans-Peter Dorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Oxidation Mechanism ◽  
Peroxy Radical ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Measured Time ◽  
Simulation Chamber

Abstract. The photooxidation of the most abundant monoterpene α-pinene, by the hydroxyl radical (OH) was investigated at atmospheric concentrations in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR. Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were below 120 pptv. Yields of organic oxidation products are determined from measured time series giving values of 0.11 ± 0.05, 0.19 ± 0.06, and 0.05 ± 0.03 for formaldehyde, acetone, and pinonaldehyde, respectively. The pinonaldehyde yield is at the low side of yields measured in previous laboratory studies, ranging from 0.06 to 0.87. These studies were mostly performed at reactant concentrations much higher than observed in the atmosphere. Time series of measured radical and trace gas concentrations are compared to results from model calculations applying the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) 3.3.1. The model predicts pinonaldehyde mixing ratios that are at least a factor of 4 higher than measured values. At the same time, modelled hydroxyl and hydroperoxy (HO2) radical concentrations are approximately 25 % lower than measured values. Vereecken et al. (2007) suggested a shift of the initial organic peroxy radical (RO2) distribution towards RO2 species that do not yield pinonaldehyde, but produce other organic products. Implementing these modifications reduces the model-measurement gap of pinonaldehyde by 20 % and also improves the agreement in modelled and measured radical concentrations by 10 %. However, the chemical oxidation mechanism needs further adjustment to explain observed radical and pinonaldehyde concentrations. This could be achieved by adjusting the initial RO2 distribution, but could also be done by implementing alternative reaction channels of RO2 species that currently lead to the formation of pinonaldehyde in the model.

scholarly journals The MCM v3.3 degradation scheme for isoprene

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 9709-9766 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Jenkin ◽  
J. C. Young ◽  
A. R. Rickard
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Radical ◽  
Degradation Mechanism ◽  
Closed Shell ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Oh Radicals ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Radical Species ◽  
Master Chemical Mechanism

Abstract. The chemistry of isoprene degradation in the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) has been systematically refined and updated to reflect recent advances in understanding, with these updates appearing in the latest version, MCM v3.3. The complete isoprene degradation mechanism in MCM v3.3 consists of 1935 reactions of 605 closed shell and free radical species, which treat the chemistry initiated by reaction with OH radicals, NO3 radicals and ozone (O3). A detailed overview of the updates is provided, within the context of reported kinetic and mechanistic information. The revisions mainly relate to the OH-initiated chemistry, which tends to dominate under atmospheric conditions, although these include updates to the chemistry of some products that are also generated from the O3 - and NO3-initiated oxidation. The revisions have impacts in a number of key areas, including HOx recycling, NOx recycling and the formation of species reported to play a role in SOA-formation mechanisms. The performance of the MCM v3.3 isoprene mechanism has been compared with those of earlier versions (MCM v3.1 and MCM v3.2) over a range of relevant conditions, using a box model of the tropical forested boundary layer. The results of these calculations are presented and discussed, and are used to illustrate the impacts of the mechanistic updates in MCM v3.3.

scholarly journals Formation and sink of glyoxal and methylglyoxal in a polluted subtropical environment: observation-based photochemical analysis and impact evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 11451-11467
Author(s):  
Zhenhao Ling ◽  
Qianqian Xie ◽  
Min Shao ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern China ◽  
Oxidation Mechanism ◽  
Receptor Site ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Chemical Mechanism ◽  
Major Pathway ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Heterogeneous Processes ◽  
The Pearl River ◽  
Improved Model

Abstract. The dicarbonyls glyoxal (Gly) and methylglyoxal (Mgly) have been recognized as important precursors of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) through the atmospheric heterogeneous process. In this study, field measurement was conducted at a receptor site in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in southern China, and an observation-based photochemical box model was subsequently applied to investigate the production and evolution of Gly and Mgly as well as their contributions to SOA formation. The model was coupled with a detailed gas-phase oxidation mechanism of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (i.e., Master Chemical Mechanism, MCM, v3.2), heterogeneous processes of Gly and Mgly (i.e., reversible partitioning in aqueous phase, irreversible volume reactions and irreversible surface uptake processes), and the gas–particle partitioning of oxidation products. The results suggested that without considering the heterogeneous processes of Gly and Mgly on aerosol surfaces, the model would overpredict the mixing ratios of Gly and Mgly by factors of 3.3 and 3.5 compared to the observed levels. The agreement between observation and simulation improved significantly when the irreversible uptake and the reversible partitioning were incorporated into the model, which in total both contributed ∼ 62 % to the destruction of Gly and Mgly during daytime. Further analysis of the photochemical budget of Gly and Mgly showed that the oxidation of aromatics by the OH radical was the major pathway producing Gly and Mgly, followed by degradation of alkynes and alkenes. Furthermore, based on the improved model mechanism, the contributions of VOC oxidation to SOA formed from gas–particle partitioning (SOAgp) and from heterogeneous processes of Gly and Mgly (SOAhet) were also quantified. It was found that o-xylene was the most significant contributor to SOAgp formation (∼ 29 %), while m,p-xylene and toluene made dominant contributions to SOAhet formation. Overall, the heterogeneous processes of Gly and Mgly can explain ∼ 21 % of SOA mass in the PRD region. The results of this study demonstrated the important roles of heterogeneous processes of Gly and Mgly in SOA formation and highlighted the need for a better understanding of the evolution of intermediate oxidation products.

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