Kinetics, products, and mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol formation

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is formed in the atmosphere when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from anthropogenic and biogenic sources are oxidized by reactions with OH radicals, O(3), NO(3) radicals, or Cl atoms to form less volatile products that subsequently partition into aerosol particles. Once in particles, these organic compounds can undergo heterogenous/multiphase reactions to form more highly oxidized or oligomeric products. SOA comprises a large fraction of atmospheric aerosol mass and can have significant effects on atmospheric chemistry, visibility, human health, and climate. Previous articles have reviewed the kinetics, products, and mechanisms of atmospheric VOC reactions and the general chemistry and physics involved in SOA formation. In this article we present a detailed review of VOC and heterogeneous/multiphase chemistry as they apply to SOA formation, with a focus on the effects of VOC molecular structure on the kinetics of initial reactions with the major atmospheric oxidants, the subsequent reactions of alkyl, alkyl peroxy, and alkoxy radical intermediates, and the composition of the resulting products. Structural features of reactants and products discussed include compound carbon number; linear, branched, and cyclic configurations; the presence of C[double bond, length as m-dash]C bonds and aromatic rings; and functional groups such as carbonyl, hydroxyl, ester, hydroxperoxy, carboxyl, peroxycarboxyl, nitrate, and peroxynitrate. The intention of this review is to provide atmospheric chemists with sufficient information to understand the dominant pathways by which the major classes of atmospheric VOCs react to form SOA products, and the further reactions of these products in particles. This will allow reasonable predictions to be made, based on molecular structure, about the kinetics, products, and mechanisms of VOC and heterogeneous/multiphase reactions, including the effects of important variables such as VOC, oxidant, and NO(x) concentrations as well as temperature, humidity, and particle acidity. Such knowledge should be useful for interpreting the results of laboratory and field studies and for developing atmospheric chemistry models. A number of recommendations for future research are also presented.     

Data mining of the relationship between volatile organic components and transient high ozone formation

The aim of this study is to identify relationships between volatile organic components (VOCs) and transient high ozone formation in the Houston area. The ozone is not emitted to the atmosphere directly but is formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. In Houston, short-term (1 h) sharp increases are observed followed by a rapid decrease back to typical concentrations. Automatic gas chromatographs (GCs) are operated at several sites which cryogenically collect VOCs during an hour and then the compounds are flash evaporated into the GC for analysis. Chromatographic data for more than 65 VOCs are stored in analysis report text files. A program has been developed to read the amount of each component in the measurements such that a data set is generated that includes the concentrations of each VOC for each hourly sample. A subset of the data is selected that corresponds to the period of the positive ozone transient and these data are used in the data mining (DM) process. Based on a chemical mass balance (CMB) analysis, a linear model was established between the subset of the VOCs data and the positive ozone transition. Non-negative least squares (NNLS) was used to calculate the regression coefficient of the VOCs that have the most significant positive relationship to the positive ozone transition. The results show that more attention might be paid to several unknown VOCs, which have significant relationships to the transient high ozone formation.     

Atmospheric organic aerosol production by heterogeneous acid-catalyzed reactions.

Exploratory evidence from our laboratories shows that acidic surfaces on atmospheric aerosols lead to very real and potentially multifold increases in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass and build-up of stabilized nonvolatile organic matter as particles age. One possible explanation for these heterogeneous processes are the acid-catalyzed (e.g., H2SO4 and HNO3) reactions of atmospheric multifunctional organic species (e.g., multifunctional carbonyl compounds) that are accommodated onto the particle phase from the gas phase. Volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOCs) from biogenic sources (e.g., terpenoids) and anthropogenic sources (aromatics) are significant precursors for multifunctional organic species. The sulfur content of fossil fuels, which is released into the atmosphere as SO2, results in the formation of secondary inorganic acidic aerosols or indigenous acidic soot particles (e.g., diesel soot). The predominance of SOAs contributing to PM2.5 (particulate matter, that is, 2.5 microm or smaller than 2.5 microm), and the prevalence of sulfur in fossil fuels suggests that interactions between these sources could be considerable. This study outlines a systematic approach for exploring the fundamental chemistry of these particle-phase heterogeneous reactions. If acid-catalyzed heterogeneous reactions of SOA products are included in next-generation models, the predicted SOA formation will be much greater and have a much larger impact on climate-forcing effects than we now predict. The combined study of both organic and inorganic acids will also enable greater understanding of the adverse health effects in biological pulmonary organs exposed to particles.     

Influence of unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic volatile organic compounds on the oxidation of aqueous sulfur dioxide by oxygen in aqueous medium

The trace atmospheric volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are reported to influence the oxidation of dissolved sulfur dioxide, S(IV), by oxygen, which is an important reaction in atmospheric acid formation. In this work, the influence of 15 VOCs on uncatalyzed oxidation of S(IV) by oxygen has been investigated by following the disappearance of [O₂]. The inhibition of oxidation reaction by toluene, aniline, benzene, cinnamic acid, hydroquinone, acrylamide, acrylonitrile and allyl alcohol was defined by the rate law(A):k_VOC = k₀/(1+B [Inh]) (A)where, k_VOC, and k₀ are the first order rate constants in the presence and the absence of VOCs respectively. B is the inhibition parameter and [Inh] is the concentration of inhibitor.On the other hand, fumaric, maleic and crotonic acids, which have conjugated CC bonds, catalyze the reaction defined by the rate law(B):k_VOC = k₀ + k_cat [VOC] (B)where k_cat is catalytic constant and [VOC] is the concentration of catalytic VOC.Interestingly, presence of 1-hexene, cyclohexene, methacrylic acid, methyl acrylate was without any significant effect on the rate of reaction.     

Evidence of coal combustion contribution to ambient VOCs during winter in Beijing

Volatile organic compounds(VOCs)play an important role in ozone and secondary organic aerosol(SOA)formation,but VOCs sources during winter are not fully understood.To investigate VOCs sources during winter,mixing ratios of C2–C12 VOCs were measured at an urban site in Beijing from December 29,2011to January 17,2012.Correlation analysis of toluene to benzene and i-pentane to n-pentane suggest that coal combustion could also be an important source for VOCs besides vehicular emissions.Source apportionment results show that coal combustion and vehicular emissions contributed 28%–39%and31%–45%to ambient VOCs during winter,respectively.Backward trajectory analyses demonstrated that contributions from the burning of coal were higher when air masses came from southern regions outside Beijing.Close attention should be paid to VOCs emissions from coal combustion in Beijing city and the vicinity to the South.     

Secondary organic aerosol formation from limonene ozonolysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous influences as a function of NO(x)

Limonene has a high emission rate both from biogenic sources and from household solvents. Here we examine the limonene + ozone reaction as a source for secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Our data show that limonene has very high potential to form SOA and that NO(x) levels, O(3) levels, and UV radiation all influence SOA formation. High SOA formation is observed under conditions where both double bonds in limonene are oxidized, but those conditions depend strongly on NO(x). At low NO(x), heterogeneous oxidation of the terminal double bond follows the initial limonene ozonolysis (at the endocyclic double bond) almost immediately, making the initial reaction rate limiting. This requires a high uptake coefficient between ozone and the first-generation, unsaturated organic particles. However, at high NO(x), this heterogeneous processing is inhibited and gas-phase oxidation of the terminal double bond dominates. Although this chemistry is slower, it also yields products with low volatility. UV light suppresses production of the lowest volatility products, as we have shown in earlier studies of the alpha-pinene + ozone reaction.     

Rotating Biological Contactor Reactor with Biofilm Promoting Mats for Treatment of Benzene and Xylene Containing Wastewater

A novel rotating biological contactor (RBC) bioreactor immobilized with microorganisms was designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as benzene and xylene from emissions, and its performance was investigated. Gas-phase VOCs stripped by air injection were 98?% removed in the RBC when the superficial air flow rate was 375?ml/h (1,193 and 1,226?mg/l of benzene and xylene, respectively). The maximum removal rate was observed to be 1,007 and 1,872?mg/m³/day for benzene and xylene, respectively. The concentration profile of benzene and xylene along the RBC was dependent on the air flow rate and the degree of microbial adaptation. Air flow rate and residence time were found to be the most important operational parameters for the RBC reactor. By manipulating these operational parameters, the removal efficiency and capacity of the bioreactor could be enhanced. The kinetic constant K _s demonstrated a linear relationship that indicated the maximum removal of benzene and xylene in RBC reactor. The phylogenic profile shows the presence of bacterium like Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., and Enterococcus sp., which belonged to the phylum Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria that were responsible for the 98?% organic removal in the RBC.     

High impact of vehicle and solvent emission on the ambient volatile organic compounds in a major city of northwest China

Monitoring of ambient volatile organic compounds（VOCs） was conducted within typical residentialcommercial area in the city of Xi’an in northwest China during typical ozone（O₃） episodes, to investigate the major contributors to the characteristic of ambient VOCs and their impact on O₃ production. In the residential-commercial area, diurnal variation of VOCs was highly impacted by vehicle exhaust, fuel evaporation, and local solvent use. Relative higher contributions（up to 60...     

A new screening procedure for the estimation of oxidizable organic compounds in water samples

Summary Immobilized lead dioxide (supported on SiO₂) has been used as the packing material in a solid phase reactor for the oxidation of organic compounds in water samples by flow injection analysis (FIA). On-line oxidation takes place in a FIA-system; this allows the detection of mobilized Pb²⁺ either photometrically, after complex formation with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-recorcinol (PAR), or directly with flame-AAS. The oxidation yield is quite different (0–100%) for a variety of organic compounds; however, calibration was possible in all cases investigated. Thus the systems can be used for the screening of polluted waters and as a post-column chemical-reaction detector (e.g. after HPLC-separation of organic compounds). After modification the FIA determination of COD equivalent values should be possible.     

Identification of organic hydroperoxides and hydroperoxy acids in secondary organic aerosol formed during the ozonolysis of different monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes by on‐line analysis using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry

On‐line ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) enables the real‐time characterization of reaction products of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The analysis was conducted by directly introducing the aerosol particles into the ion source. Positive‐ion chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI(+)) ITMS was used for the characterization of constituents of biogenic SOA produced in reaction‐chamber experiments. APCI in the positive‐ion mode usually enables the detection of [M+H]⁺ ions of the individual SOA components. In this paper the identification of organic peroxides from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by on‐line APCI‐ITMS is presented. Organic peroxides containing a hydroperoxy group, generated by gas‐phase ozonolysis of monoterpenes (α‐pinene and β‐pinene) and sesquiterpenes (α‐cedrene and α‐copaene), could be detected via on‐line APCI(+)‐MS/MS experiments. A characteristic neutral loss of 34 Da (hydrogen peroxide, H₂O₂) in the on‐line MS/MS spectra is a clear indication for the existence of an organic peroxide, containing a hydroperoxy functional group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The balancing of VOC concentration fluctuations by adsorption/desorption process on activated carbon

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mostly toxic and carcinogenic substances. The technologies for cleaning of exhaust gases containing the constant concentrations of VOCs are commercially available. However, if concentration fluctuations occur in the range of several orders of magnitude, it can cause problems for a subsequent gas cleaning e.g. by thermal or catalytic oxidation. The balancing of VOC concentrations in flue gases can be a great simplification of a subsequent reduction of VOC emissions from sources with time-variable concentrations. Paint shops belong to the important sources of VOCs and are an example of periodic processes with time-variable concentrations of VOCs. One of the main aims was to experimentally determine the conditions, such as the minimal mean residence time, to balance out the fluctuations of inlet VOC concentrations at the laboratory model. After that, the verification of obtained results was applied for a real exhaust gas from a paint shop.     

A passive sampling-based analytical strategy for the determination of volatile organic compounds in the air of working areas

An analytical methodology based on the use of a polyethylene layflat tube filled with activated carbon and Florisil (ACFL-VERAM) was employed for the passive sampling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of working areas of packing industries. VOCs amount in the ACFL-VERAM sampler was directly determined through head-space-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) allowing a direct determination in only 20 min without the need of any previous treatment. Uptake parameters, like sampling rate (R_S) and sampler-air partition coefficient (K_SA), were determined for every studied VOC from adsorption isotherm data. Additionally, experimental equations have been proposed to predict R_S and K_SA from the octanol-air partition coefficients reported in the literature. The proposed methodology reaches method detection levels from 0.007 to 0.2 mg m⁻³ for the studied VOCs.     

不同吸附剂上动态吸附-脱附挥发性有机气体性能研究

采用气相色谱法和热重分析(TG)研究了活性炭以及5A、NaY、13X、ZSM-5(Si0_2/Al_2O_3=27、300)、Hβ和MCM-41分子筛对正己烷、甲苯和乙酸乙酯的动态吸附-脱附性能,系统考察了挥发性有机气体(VOCs)浓度与种类及体积空速对吸附容量的影响。结果表明,增加体积空速和VOCs浓度,一定程度上能够提升吸附容量;活性炭吸附剂对三种VOCs具有较高的单位质量吸附量,而13X与NaY对三种VOCs具有更大的单位体积吸附量。     

Volatile organic compounds in an urban environment: a comparison among Belgium,Vietnam and Ethiopia

The effects of urban and indoor air pollution on human health are a major environmental concern for all, but not much has been researched in the developing world. Specifically, quantitative data on the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – main contributors to air pollution – in Asia and Africa are scarce compared to the availability of data in the developed world. This paper presents one of the first studies focusing on the analysis and occurrence of VOCs in Vietnam and Ethiopia, which constitutes part of the novelty of this work. A spectrum of 34 VOCs was measured at eight different urban sites in Ghent (Belgium), Hanoi (Vietnam), Jimma and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) during three sampling campaigns from September 2008 to September 2010. Sampling was done in an active way by means of sorbent tubes filled with Tenax TA. The analysis was done by TD-GC-MS using internal standard calibration. Data were interpreted and compared in terms of (i) individual, subgroup and total VOCs concentration (TVOCs), (ii) indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) concentration ratios, (iii) source identification by diagnostic ratio and/or correlation coefficients, and (iv) ozone formation potential (OFP) at outdoor sites based on up-to-date maximum incremental reactivity (MIR). I/O concentration ratios varied between 0.2 and 30, with big differences noticed with respect to the type of VOC(s) considered and the type of outdoor sampling location. The highest TVOC concentrations were measured in street samples with maximum values of 54?µg/m³ in Ghent, 507?µg/m³ in Hanoi and 318?µg/m³ in Addis Ababa illustrating the large difference in ambient air quality levels. This is also reflected in the arithmetic mean OFP values (µg/m³) of 82, 1308 and 596 in Ghent, Hanoi and Addis Ababa, respectively. Results of this study could be helpful to support formulation of national policy with regard to ambient air quality.     

Formation of volatile organic compounds in the heterogeneous oxidation of condensed-phase organic films by gas-phase OH

The yield of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the heterogeneous oxidation of condensed-phase organic and hydrocarbon soot films by gas-phase OH has been studied in a coated-wall flow tube at room temperature. Simultaneously, OH concentrations are measured using a chemical-ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) operated in negative ion mode and VOCs are measured using a commercial proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS). It is observed that a variety of aldehydes/carbonyls and carboxylic acids are formed. Specifically, detailed experiments were conducted with stearic acid, where products are observed that contain as many as 13 carbon atoms with the average carbon number of the products between 3 and 5. The yield of VOCs, relative to the loss of OH radicals, is strongly dependent on the partial pressure of O2 in the carrier gas, ranging from 0.08 +/- 0.03 in a nominally pure He carrier gas to 0.34 +/- 0.14 in 6 Torr of pure O2. Yields from other organics are somewhat lower than those from stearic acid, ranging in conditions of pure O2 from 0.10 +/- 0.04 for BES (bis(ethylhexyl)sebacate), to 0.03 +/- 0.01 for n-hexane soot, to 0.01 +/- 0.005 for pyrene. Under atmospheric conditions, OH oxidation of select organics may be an efficient source of small VOCs. In particular, formic acid is formed in significant yield from all the surfaces.     

Chemical composition of secondary organic aerosol formed from the photooxidation of isoprene

Recent work in our laboratory has shown that the photooxidation of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, C(5)H(8)) leads to the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In the current study, the chemical composition of SOA from the photooxidation of isoprene over the full range of NO(x) conditions is investigated through a series of controlled laboratory chamber experiments. SOA composition is studied using a wide range of experimental techniques: electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry, high-resolution mass spectrometry, online aerosol mass spectrometry, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and an iodometric-spectroscopic method. Oligomerization was observed to be an important SOA formation pathway in all cases; however, the nature of the oligomers depends strongly on the NO(x) level, with acidic products formed under high-NO(x) conditions only. We present, to our knowledge, the first evidence of particle-phase esterification reactions in SOA, where the further oxidation of the isoprene oxidation product methacrolein under high-NO(x) conditions produces polyesters involving 2-methylglyceric acid as a key monomeric unit. These oligomers comprise approximately 22-34% of the high-NO(x) SOA mass. Under low-NO(x) conditions, organic peroxides contribute significantly to the low-NO(x) SOA mass (approximately 61% when SOA forms by nucleation and approximately 25-30% in the presence of seed particles). The contribution of organic peroxides in the SOA decreases with time, indicating photochemical aging. Hemiacetal dimers are found to form from C(5) alkene triols and 2-methyltetrols under low-NO(x) conditions; these compounds are also found in aerosol collected from the Amazonian rainforest, demonstrating the atmospheric relevance of these low-NO(x) chamber experiments.     

High-energy irradiation of chlorinated hydrocarbons

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) are jointly investigating the decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons using bremsstrahlung radiation produced by electron accelerators and gamma photons from spent reactor fuel. Experimental results demonstrate an exponential type decay of concentration with dose for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ground water and for both polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and insecticides in organic solutions. Experiments were performed at several photon energies and dose rates with various initial concentrations. Mass balance analysis suggests complete mineralization of VOCs in ground water and indicates significant degradation of PCBs and insecticides to VOC type compounds in organic solutions.Work performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE Contract Nos. W-7405-ENG-48 and DE-AC07-76IDO1570.     

The effect of volatile organic compounds and hypoxia on paper degradation

The possible effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and of hypoxic conditions on the durability of library and archival collections have been investigated. There is growing evidence that particularly in micro-environments, there may be an important contribution of these indoor-generated pollutants to the degradation of paper. However, since the principal source of VOCs in repositories is the collections themselves, there are also significant possibilities for less stable papers, which are net VOC emitters, to promote the degradation of more stable papers, which may be net VOC absorbers.Using a range of model and real historic papers, the influence of acetic acid, formic acid, furfural, toluene, 1,4-diethylbenzene, iso-butylbenzol, 2-pentylfuran, paraformaldehyde, hexanal and vanillin was evaluated by adding them to samples degraded in closed vessels at elevated temperature. Possible protective effects of the use of activated charcoal cloth, oxygen removal, and of various chemisorbents were also investigated.The results strongly suggest that particularly VOCs with acidic or oxidisable functions can have a strong effect on degradation of cellulose. This is less pronounced in lignin-containing and acidic papers and more pronounced in papers with a small alkaline reserve. The removal of VOCs from the immediate environment can have a pronounced beneficial effect on papers emitting VOCs more intensively, in fact, the lifetime expectancy can be doubled.The results have immediate implications for storage of paper-based heritage in enclosures, but also for initiation of long-term VOC monitoring programmes in libraries and archives, where significant development is still needed.