Ozone-driven secondary organic aerosol production chain

Environ Sci Technol. 2013 Apr 16;47(8):3639-47. doi: 10.1021/es305156z. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

Acidic sulfate particles are known to enhance secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass in the oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) through accretion reactions and organosulfate formation. Enhanced phase transfer of epoxides, which form during the BVOC oxidation, into the acidified sulfate particles is shown to explain the latter process. We report here a newly identified ozone-driven SOA production chain that increases SOA formation dramatically. In this process, the epoxides interact with acidic sulfate particles, forming a new generation of highly reactive VOCs through isomerization. These VOCs partition back into the gas phase and undergo a new round of SOA forming oxidation reactions. Depending on the nature of the isomerized VOCs, their next generation oxidation forms highly oxygenated terpenoic acids or organosulfates. Atmospheric evidence is presented for the existence of marker compounds originating from this chain. The identified process partly explains the enhanced SOA formation in the presence of acidic particles on a molecular basis and could be an important source of missing SOA precursor VOCs that are currently not included in atmospheric models.

MeSH terms

  • Acids
  • Aerosols / analysis*
  • Atmosphere / chemistry
  • Bicyclic Monoterpenes
  • Catalysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Gases / analysis
  • Isomerism
  • Organic Chemicals / analysis*
  • Ozone / chemistry*
  • Terpenes / analysis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Acids
  • Aerosols
  • Bicyclic Monoterpenes
  • Gases
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Terpenes
  • 2-pinene oxide
  • Ozone