scholarly journals Mechanisms leading to oligomers and SOA through aqueous photooxidation: insights from OH radical oxidation of acetic acid

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 18319-18347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Tan ◽  
Y. B. Lim ◽  
K. E. Altieri ◽  
S. P. Seitzinger ◽  
B. J. Turpin
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
Radical Oxidation ◽  
Esi Ms ◽  
Oligomer Formation ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Oxalic Acids

Abstract. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the aqueous OH radical oxidation of methylglyoxal produces low volatility products including oxalate and oligomers. These products are found predominantly in the particle phase in the atmosphere, suggesting that methylglyoxal is a precursor of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Acetic acid is an important intermediate in aqueous methylglyoxal oxidation and a ubiquitous product of gas phase photochemistry, making it a potential "aqueous" SOA precursor in its own right. Altieri et al. (2008) proposed that acetic acid was the precursor of oligoesters observed in methylglyoxal oxidation. However, the fate of acetic acid upon aqueous-phase oxidation is not well understood. In this research, acetic acid at concentrations relevant to atmospheric waters (20 μM–10 mM) was oxidized by OH radical. Products were analyzed by ion chromatography (IC), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and IC-ESI-MS. The formation of glyoxylic, glycolic, and oxalic acids were observed. In contrast to methylglyoxal oxidation, succinic acid and oligomers were not detected. Using results from these and methylglyoxal + OH radical experiments, radical mechanisms responsible for oligomer formation from methylglyoxal oxidation in clouds and wet aerosols are proposed. The importance of acetic acid/acetate as an SOA precursor is also discussed. We hypothesize that this and similar chemistry is central to the daytime formation of oligomers in wet aerosols.

scholarly journals Mechanisms leading to oligomers and SOA through aqueous photooxidation: insights from OH radical oxidation of acetic acid and methylglyoxal

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 801-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Tan ◽  
Y. B. Lim ◽  
K. E. Altieri ◽  
S. P. Seitzinger ◽  
B. J. Turpin
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Oh Radicals ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
Radical Oxidation ◽  
Oligomer Formation ◽  
Acid Catalyzed ◽  
Aqueous Oxidation ◽  
Oxalic Acids

Abstract. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the aqueous OH radical oxidation of methylglyoxal produces low volatility products including pyruvate, oxalate and oligomers. These products are found predominantly in the particle phase in the atmosphere, suggesting that methylglyoxal is a precursor of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Acetic acid plays a central role in the aqueous oxidation of methylglyoxal and it is a ubiquitous product of gas phase photochemistry, making it a potential "aqueous" SOA precursor in its own right. However, the fate of acetic acid upon aqueous-phase oxidation is not well understood. In this research, acetic acid (20 μM–10 mM) was oxidized by OH radicals, and pyruvic acid and methylglyoxal experimental samples were analyzed using new analytical methods, in order to better understand the formation of SOA from acetic acid and methylglyoxal. Glyoxylic, glycolic, and oxalic acids formed from acetic acid and OH radicals. In contrast to the aqueous OH radical oxidation of methylglyoxal, the aqueous OH radical oxidation of acetic acid did not produce succinic acid and oligomers. This suggests that the methylgloxal-derived oligomers do not form through the acid catalyzed esterification pathway proposed previously. Using results from these experiments, radical mechanisms responsible for oligomer formation from methylglyoxal oxidation in clouds and wet aerosols are proposed. The importance of acetic acid/acetate as an SOA precursor is also discussed. We hypothesize that this and similar chemistry is central to the daytime formation of oligomers in wet aerosols.

scholarly journals Chemical insights, explicit chemistry, and yields of secondary organic aerosol from OH radical oxidation of methylglyoxal and glyoxal in the aqueous phase

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 8651-8667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. B. Lim ◽  
Y. Tan ◽  
B. J. Turpin
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Radical Reactions ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
Radical Oxidation

Abstract. Atmospherically abundant, volatile water-soluble organic compounds formed through gas-phase chemistry (e.g., glyoxal (C2), methylglyoxal (C3), and acetic acid) have great potential to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) via aqueous chemistry in clouds, fogs, and wet aerosols. This paper (1) provides chemical insights into aqueous-phase OH-radical-initiated reactions leading to SOA formation from methylglyoxal and (2) uses this and a previously published glyoxal mechanism (Lim et al., 2010) to provide SOA yields for use in chemical transport models. Detailed reaction mechanisms including peroxy radical chemistry and a full kinetic model for aqueous photochemistry of acetic acid and methylglyoxal are developed and validated by comparing simulations with the experimental results from previous studies (Tan et al., 2010, 2012). This new methylglyoxal model is then combined with the previous glyoxal model (Lim et al., 2010), and is used to simulate the profiles of products and to estimate SOA yields. At cloud-relevant concentrations (~ 10−6 − ~ 10−3 M; Munger et al., 1995) of glyoxal and methylglyoxal, the major photooxidation products are oxalic acid and pyruvic acid, and simulated SOA yields (by mass) are ~ 120% for glyoxal and ~ 80% for methylglyoxal. During droplet evaporation oligomerization of unreacted methylglyoxal/glyoxal that did not undergo aqueous photooxidation could enhance yields. In wet aerosols, where total dissolved organics are present at much higher concentrations (~ 10 M), the major oxidation products are oligomers formed via organic radical–radical reactions, and simulated SOA yields (by mass) are ~ 90% for both glyoxal and methylglyoxal. Non-radical reactions (e.g., with ammonium) could enhance yields.

Glyoxal secondary organic aerosol chemistry: effects of dilute nitrate and ammonium and support for organic radical–radical oligomer formation

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Kirkland ◽  
Yong B. Lim ◽  
Yi Tan ◽  
Katye E. Altieri ◽  
Barbara J. Turpin
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Radical Reaction ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Organic Radical ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
Radical Oxidation ◽  
Oligomer Formation ◽  
First Time

Environmental context Atmospheric waters (clouds, fogs and wet aerosols) are media in which gases can be converted into particulate matter. This work explores aqueous transformations of glyoxal, a water-soluble gas with anthropogenic and biogenic sources. Results provide new evidence in support of previously proposed chemical mechanisms. These mechanisms are beginning to be incorporated into transport models that link emissions to air pollution concentrations and behaviour. Abstract Glyoxal (GLY) is ubiquitous in the atmosphere and an important aqueous secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursor. At dilute (cloud-relevant) organic concentrations, OH• radical oxidation of GLY has been shown to produce oxalate. GLY has also been used as a surrogate species to gain insight into radical and non-radical reactions in wet aerosols, where organic and inorganic concentrations are very high (in the molar region). The work herein demonstrates, for the first time, that tartarate forms from GLY+OH•. Tartarate is a key product in a previously proposed organic radical–radical reaction mechanism for oligomer formation from GLY oxidation. Previously published model predictions that include this GLY oxidation pathway suggest that oligomers are major products of OH• radical oxidation at the high organic concentrations found in wet aerosols. The tartarate measurements herein provide support for this proposed oligomer formation mechanism. This paper also demonstrates, for the first time, that dilute (cloud or fog-relevant) concentrations of inorganic nitrogen (i.e. ammonium and nitrate) have little effect on the GLY+OH• chemistry leading to oxalate formation in clouds. This, and results from previous experiments conducted with acidic sulfate, increase confidence that the currently understood dilute GLY+OH• chemistry can be used to predict GLY SOA formation in clouds and fogs. It should be recognised that organic–inorganic interactions can play an important role in droplet evaporation chemistry and in wet aerosols. The chemistry leading to SOA formation in these environments is complex and remains poorly understood.

scholarly journals Volatility of secondary organic aerosol during OH radical induced ageing

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 11055-11067 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Salo ◽  
M. Hallquist ◽  
Å. M. Jonsson ◽  
H. Saathoff ◽  
K.-H. Naumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Oh Radical ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Volatile Material ◽  
Phase Oxidation ◽  
Gas Phase Oxidation ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Pinic Acid

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate oxidation of SOA formed from ozonolysis of α-pinene and limonene by hydroxyl radicals. This paper focuses on changes of particle volatility, using a Volatility Tandem DMA (VTDMA) set-up, in order to explain and elucidate the mechanism behind atmospheric ageing of the organic aerosol. The experiments were conducted at the AIDA chamber facility of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe and at the SAPHIR chamber of Forchungzentrum Jülich (FZJ) in Jülich. A fresh SOA was produced from ozonolysis of α-pinene or limonene and then aged by enhanced OH exposure. As an OH radical source in the AIDA-chamber the ozonolysis of tetramethylethylene (TME) was used while in the SAPHIR-chamber the OH was produced by natural light photochemistry. A general feature is that SOA produced from ozonolysis of α-pinene and limonene initially was rather volatile and becomes less volatile with time in the ozonolysis part of the experiment. Inducing OH chemistry or adding a new portion of precursors made the SOA more volatile due to addition of new semi-volatile material to the aged aerosol. The effect of OH chemistry was less pronounced in high concentration and low temperature experiments when lower relative amounts of semi-volatile material were available in the gas phase. Conclusions drawn from the changes in volatility were confirmed by comparison with the measured and modelled chemical composition of the aerosol phase. Three quantified products from the α-pinene oxidation; pinonic acid, pinic acid and methylbutanetricarboxylic acid (MBTCA) were used to probe the processes influencing aerosol volatility. A major conclusion from the work is that the OH induced ageing can be attributed to gas phase oxidation of products produced in the primary SOA formation process and that there was no indication on significant bulk or surface reactions. The presented results, thus, strongly emphasise the importance of gas phase oxidation of semi- or intermediate-volatile organic compounds (SVOC and IVOC) for atmospheric aerosol ageing.

scholarly journals Chemical Characterization of Secondary Organic Aerosol at a Rural Site in the Southeastern U.S.: Insights from Simultaneous HR-ToF-AMS and FIGAERO-CIMS Measurements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunle Chen ◽  
Masayuki Takeuchi ◽  
Theodora Nah ◽  
Lu Xu ◽  
Manjula R. Canagaratna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Mass Spectrometer ◽  
Secondary Organic Aerosol ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Organic Nitrate ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Resolution Time ◽  
Radical Oxidation

Abstract. The formation and evolution of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was investigated at Yorkville, GA, in late summer (mid-August ~ mid-October, 2016). Organic aerosol (OA) composition was measured using two on-line mass spectrometry instruments, the high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and the Filter Inlet for Gases and AEROsols coupled to a high-resolution time-of-flight iodide-adduct chemical ionization mass spectrometer (FIGAERO-CIMS). Through analysis of speciated organics data from FIGAERO-CIMS and factorization analysis of data obtained from both instruments, we observed notable SOA formation from isoprene and monoterpenes during both day and night. Specifically, in addition to isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) uptake, we identified isoprene SOA formation via hydroxyl hydroperoxide oxidation (ISOPOOH oxidation via non-IEPOX pathways) and isoprene organic nitrate formation via photooxidation in the presence of NOx and nitrate radical oxidation. Monoterpenes were found to be the most important SOA precursors at night. We observed significant contributions from highly-oxidized acid-like compounds to the aged OA factor from FIGAERO-CIMS. Taken together, our results showed that FIGAERO-CIMS measurements are highly complementary to the extensively used AMS factorization analysis, and together they provide more comprehensive insights into OA sources and composition.

scholarly journals Identifying precursors and aqueous organic aerosol formation pathways during the SOAS campaign

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (22) ◽  
pp. 14409-14420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Sareen ◽  
Annmarie G. Carlton ◽  
Jason D. Surratt ◽  
Avram Gold ◽  
Ben Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Aqueous Phase ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Aqueous Mixtures ◽  
Aerosol Formation

Abstract. Aqueous multiphase chemistry in the atmosphere can lead to rapid transformation of organic compounds, forming highly oxidized, low-volatility organic aerosol and, in some cases, light-absorbing (brown) carbon. Because liquid water is globally abundant, this chemistry could substantially impact climate, air quality, and health. Gas-phase precursors released from biogenic and anthropogenic sources are oxidized and fragmented, forming water-soluble gases that can undergo reactions in the aqueous phase (in clouds, fogs, and wet aerosols), leading to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOAAQ). Recent studies have highlighted the role of certain precursors like glyoxal, methylglyoxal, glycolaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, and epoxides in the formation of SOAAQ. The goal of this work is to identify additional precursors and products that may be atmospherically important. In this study, ambient mixtures of water-soluble gases were scrubbed from the atmosphere into water at Brent, Alabama, during the 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS). Hydroxyl (OH⚫) radical oxidation experiments were conducted with the aqueous mixtures collected from SOAS to better understand the formation of SOA through gas-phase followed by aqueous-phase chemistry. Total aqueous-phase organic carbon concentrations for these mixtures ranged from 92 to 179 µM-C, relevant for cloud and fog waters. Aqueous OH-reactive compounds were primarily observed as odd ions in the positive ion mode by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Ultra high-resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) spectra and tandem MS (MS–MS) fragmentation of these ions were consistent with the presence of carbonyls and tetrols. Products were observed in the negative ion mode and included pyruvate and oxalate, which were confirmed by ion chromatography. Pyruvate and oxalate have been found in the particle phase in many locations (as salts and complexes). Thus, formation of pyruvate/oxalate suggests the potential for aqueous processing of these ambient mixtures to form SOAAQ.

scholarly journals Formation of Highly Oxygenated Low-Volatility Products from Cresol Oxidation

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca H. Schwantes ◽  
Katherine A. Schilling ◽  
Renee C. McVay ◽  
Hanna Lignell ◽  
Matthew M. Coggon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Ring Opening ◽  
Chemical Ionization ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Organic Aerosol ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Particle Phase

Abstract. Hydroxyl radical (OH) oxidation of toluene produces the ring-retaining products cresol and benzaldehyde, and the ring-opening products bicyclic intermediate compounds and epoxides. Here, first- and later-generation OH oxidation products from cresol and benzaldehyde are identified in laboratory chamber experiments. For benzaldehyde, first-generation ring-retaining products are identified, but later-generation products are not detected. For cresol, low-volatility (saturation mass concentration, C* ~ 3.5 × 104–7.7 × 10−3 μg m−3) first- and later-generation ring-retaining products are identified. Subsequent OH addition to the aromatic ring of o-cresol leads to compounds such as hydroxy, dihydroxy, and trihydroxy methyl benzoquinones and dihydroxy, trihydroxy, tetrahydroxy, and pentahydroxy toluenes. These products are detected in the gas phase by chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) and in the particle phase using offline direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS). Our data suggest that the yield of trihydroxy toluene from dihydroxy toluene is substantial. While an exact yield cannot be reported as authentic standards are unavailable, we find that a yield for trihydroxy toluene from dihydroxy toluene of ~ 0.7 (equal to the yield of dihydroxy toluene from o-cresol) is consistent with experimental results for o-cresol oxidation under low-NO conditions. These results suggest that even though the cresol pathway accounts for only ~ 20 % of the oxidation products of toluene, it is the source of a significant fraction (~ 20–40 %) of toluene secondary organic aerosol (SOA) due to the formation of low-volatility products.

scholarly journals Photodegradation of Riboflavin under Alkaline Conditions: What can Gas-Phase Photolysis Tell Us About What Happens in Solution?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie G.K. Wong ◽  
Chris Rhodes ◽  
Caroline E.H. Dessent
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Photochemical Reactions ◽  
Solution Phase ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Phase Reaction ◽  
Esi Ms ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
On Line

The application of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) as a direct method for detecting reactive intermediates is a technique of developing importance in the routine monitoring of solution-phase reaction pathways. Here, we utilize a novel on-line photolysis ESI-MS approach to detect the photoproducts of riboflavin in aqueous solution under mildly alkaline conditions. Riboflavin is a constituent of many food products, so its breakdown processes are of wide interest. Our on-line photolysis setup allows for solution-phase photolysis to occur within a syringe using UVA LEDs, immediately prior to being introduced into the mass spectrometer via ESI. Gas-phase photofragmentation studies via laser-interfaced mass spectrometry of deprotonated riboflavin, [RFH], the dominant solution-phase species under the conditions of our study, are presented alongside the solution-phase photolysis. The results obtained illustrate the extent to which gas-phase photolysis methods can inform our understanding of the corresponding solution-phase photochemistry. We determine that the solution-phase photofragmentation observed for [RFH] closely mirrors the gas-phase photochemistry, with the m/z 241 ion being the only major condensed-phase photoproduct. Further gas-phase photoproducts are observed at m/z 255, 212, and 145. The value of exploring both the gas- and solution-phase photochemistry to characterize photochemical reactions is discussed.

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