Chemistry and concentration levels of free radicals in the stratosphere

Summary Free radicals in the atmosphere are the result of a thermodynamic non-equilibrium maintained by the presence of sunlight. For the stratosphere (15–50 km) the most important photochemical active region is that between 200–300 nm, involving O₂, O₃ and a small number of other source gases as the main photochemical source gases of free radicals. In this paper we briefly review the chemistry (sources and sinks) of the most important radical groups. Their associated concentration levels are derived from an one-dimensional (vertical) coupled chemical/dynamical model calculation. A comparison with measured concentrations is also made.     

Measurement of ozone concentration

The principal methods used to measure ozone concentration are reviewed and experimental comparisons made between chemical methods, with both phosphate and boric acid buffers, UV absorption, and electrochemical methods. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are considered and recommendations are made for the adoption of a standard reference method for rubber test methods.     

Real-time,single-particle measurements of ambient aerosols in Shanghai

As one of the major components of the earth’s atmosphere, airborne particulate matter (or aerosol) has strong effects on air quality, regional and global climate, and human health. In ambient atmosphere, the different sources and complex evolutionary history of aerosol particles make the study of their chemical and physical properties extremely challenging. The invention of an online single-particle aerosol mass spectrometer provides a powerful technique to determine the size and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles in real time. We deployed an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) to carry out single particle measurement in the urban area of Shanghai in the past few years. In this review paper, we summarize our recent work on the identification of particle type, mixing state and aging process, and the application of the individual particle information to the source apportionment of primary aerosol, and the investigation of the formation mechanism of secondary aerosol in Shanghai. The special capabilities of single particle mass spectrometry are proven essential to these studies. Multi-functional technique combinations of ATOFMS with other state-of-art aerosol instruments are also discussed for future studies.     

Halogen determination in Arctic aerosols by neutron activation analysis with Compton suppression methods

The study of halogens particularly bromine and chlorine in Arctic aerosolshas received a great deal of attention in the past decade in ozone depletionduring polar sunrise studies. Iodine has also been studied as part of geochemicalcycling. We have shown that all three of the above elements can be determinedsimultaneously with very low detection limits using epithermal NAA in conjunctionwith Compton suppression methods. Besides lowering the background considerably,Compton suppression can eliminate or minimize the overlapping peak of the620 keV photopeak arising form the 1642 keV double escape peak of ³⁸Cl interfering with the 616.9 keV photopeak of ⁷⁹Br(n,) ⁸⁰ Br reaction. Iodine is ideally determined by epithermal NAAbecause of its very good resonance integral cross-section. Although chlorineis usually determined using thermal neutrons via the ³⁷Cl(n,) ³⁸Cl reactions, epithermal NAA is still feasible for the Arcticaerosol, since it has a major sea-salt component.     

Radio-microanalytical particle measurements method and application to Fukushima aerosols collected in Japan

A nondestructive analytical method based on autoradiography and gamma spectrometry was developed to perform activity distribution analysis for particulate samples. This was applied to aerosols collected in Fukushima Japan, 40 km north of the Daiichi nuclear power plant for a 6 week period beginning shortly after the March 2011 tsunami. For an activity distribution of 990 “hot particles” from a small filter area, the hottest particle was nearly one Bq ^137+134Cs but most of the activity in the filter was produced by particles having <50 mBq each. ¹³⁴Cs/¹³⁷Cs activity ratios corrected to March 20, 2011 ranged from 0.68 (u _c = 28 %) to 1.3 (u _c = 15 %). The average ratio for a large quantity of particles was 0.92 (u _c = 4 %). Virtually all activity collected was beta and not alpha, suggesting little if any direct fuel debris was present at this site and time. These findings are expected to assist with separate efforts to better understand the emission events, radionuclide transport and potential environmental or biological uptake. The methods should be applicable to general environmental, radiotoxicological and similar studies for which activity distribution and particle chemistry are of importance.     

Development of passive sampler technique for ozone monitoring. Estimation of indoor and outdoor ozone concentration

A passive sampler method has been developed for ozone monitoring. The method involves a badge type passive sampler and is applied to the analysis of ozone exposure as an indoor and outdoor air pollutants. The passive sampler used in this experiment consists of glass fiber filter coated with NaNO(2), Na(2)CO(3) and ethylene glycol, and diffusion filter to remove the wind effects and several spacer effects. The principle component of coating is nitrite ion, which in the presence of ozone is oxidized to nitrate ion on the filter medium and then analyzed by ion chromatography. The results from laboratory and field tests show excellent correlation between the passive method and standard ozone monitoring system, integrated over the same time period. The wind tunnel parameters that were examined show that determination of relative humidity (ranging from 30 to 80%), temperature (ranging from 10 to 20 degrees C) and wind velocity ( ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 m s(-1)) at typical ozone levels (1-40 ppb) do not influence sampler performance. The detection limit attained 0.1 ppb is adequate for the determination of ozone in indoor and outdoor areas. A statistical comparison with a reference method was done in order to demonstrate the validation of the developed method. The accuracy of the proposed method, expressed as a percent relative error, when compared with a standard reference method, is found to be better than about +/-3.5%. The standard errors of the difference was measured in terms of relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) and it was found that the R.S.D. of the passive sampler for O(3) sampler ranged from 2.0 to 6.0%.     

Voltammetric concentration measurements in diffusion-hindered media

In voltammetric analysis the signal—in most cases—depends on transport processes. When getting concentration values of analytes from voltammetric calibrating curves, it is expected that the mass transport characteristics in sample solutions and in calibrating standards are identical. Standard addition methods are used in analytical practice when making calibrating standard with transport properties matching that of the samples would be difficult. Voltammetric measurements can also be carried out in soil—in sediment—or in gel samples. The mass transport conditions in these media, however, can considerably differ from those existing in aqueous solutions. The application of standard addition technique, however, is not an option there. In this work, a glassy carbon electrode was applied with a built-in diffusion layer on its measuring surface and chronoamperometric measurements were carried out. The current–time transients taken in aqueous solution and in tortuous, diffusion-hindered media were compared. Ascorbic acid and iodine as analytes as well as silica sand sediments and green pepper pulps as tortuous matrices were used. It was proved that if the modified electrode is used for analysis, then short time chronoamperometric transients taken in tortuous media can be evaluated by calibration data taken in aqueous standard solutions.     

Temporal variation of 210Pb concentration in the urban aerosols of Shanghai,China

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - This study monitored 210Pb levels of the atmospheric aerosol in Shanghai from January 2016 to February 2017. 210Pb levels were found to be low in...     

Simultaneous measurements of formaldehyde and ozone in air by annular denuder-HPLC techniques

Summary A denuder sampling method combined with HPLC analysis for the simultaneous determination of formaldehyde and ozone in ambient air is described. It is based on the reactions of CH₂O and O₃ with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol (eugenol)_respectively, both acting as coatings of two annular denuders connected in series. Formaldehyde released from the ozonolysis of eugenol is quantitatively collected on a third downstream DNPH-coated denuder. The two DNPH denuders are then extracted and analyzed as hydrazone derivative by HPLC with UV absorbance detection.The stoichiometric factor of the eugenol-ozone reaction was found to be 2.0±0.1 moles of O₃ per mole of CH₂O. The limits of detection are 0.8gm^–3 CH₂O and 3gm^–3 O₃ for 100l air sampled, corresponding to 1-h sampling at 1.7l min^–1.     

Development of a new automatic ozone concentration control system

An automatic ozone control recorder was developed in order to perform more reproducible ozone tests and to facilitate ease of operation. It is based on the principle of the iodometric method, and is in good agreement with the counter current method and the coulometric method. This development has been found to simplify the operational procedure and to improve the reproducibility of ozone tests.     

Quality control of uranium concentration measurements

Quality assurance and quality control are necessary to ascertain the output of any instrument with a certain level of confidence and maintain the measurement process in a state of statistical control. Data generated by three laser fluorimeters, used for analysing mass concentration of total uranium in liquid samples, were used in the present study. Erroneous data values, called outliers, were detected by Dixon test, Discordance outlier test, Rosner outlier test and Box plot. The distribution fitted to the data, was tested by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Chi-square test and Shapiro–Wilks test. From Shewart Control Charts it was concluded that the instruments were not in statistical control and an instrumental problem existed. The instrumental problem was solved and the instruments were subjected to quality control exercise again. Statistical parameters of the data from the detectors were compared before and after servicing. The improvement of the quality of detector output was evident.     

Interactions of ozone with organic surface films in the presence of simulated sunlight: impact on wettability of aerosols

Heterogeneous reactions between organic films, taken as proxies for atmospheric aerosols, with ozone in presence of simulated sunlight and the photosensitizer 4-carboxybenzophenone (4-CB) were observed to alter surface properties as monitored by contact angle during the reaction. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) was used in addition for product identification. Two types of model surfaces were systematically studied: 4-CB/4-phenoxyphenol and 4-CB/catechol. Solid organic films made of 4-CB/catechol were observed to become hydrophilic by simultaneous exposure to ozone and simulated sunlight, whereas organic films made of 4-CB/4-phenoxyphenol become hydrophobic under the same conditions. These changes in contact angle indicate that photo-induced aging processes involving ozone (such as oligomerisation) not necessarily favour increased hygroscopicity of organic aerosols in the atmosphere. The ratio between hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional groups should reflect the chemical property of organic films with respect to wettability phenomena. Contact angles and surface tensions of the exposed organic film made of 4-CB/4-phenoxyphenol were found to correspond to the hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratios obtained from the FTIR-ATR spectra.     

Deliquescence behavior of internally mixed clay and salt aerosols by optical extinction measurements

Internal mixtures of montmorillonite, a clay component of mineral dust, with sodium chloride or ammonium sulfate were studied optically using cavity ring down spectroscopy. The effects of the addition of the clay to the optically observed deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) and water uptake of these salts were considered by investigating a series of different salt mass fractions. In most cases, montmorillonite alters the hygroscopic properties, lowering the DRH in comparison to the pure salt, and causes the particles to transition from solid to liquid at a lower relative humidity than is expected based on the salt alone. Predictions based on volume-weighted mixing rules were not accurate for most measurements around the DRH. We attribute deviations from theory to changes in the Gibbs free energy of the system caused by disturbances in the ion-ion interactions and lattice structure allowing water uptake prior to the DRH of the salt. Our optical results contradict some current measurements in the literature that suggest little change in the hygroscopic behavior of salts when insoluble mineral dust components are added.     

Thermal desorption comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for in-situ measurements of organic aerosols

The complexity of organic composition and temporal variability of atmospheric aerosols presents an extreme analytical challenge. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) has been used on time integrated filter samples to reveal the presence of thousands of individual organic compounds in aerosols, but without defining the temporal variability in composition ideal for providing information on source resolution and human exposure to specific pollutants. We hereby introduce a new instrument, 2D-TAG, which combines our in-situ thermal desorption aerosol GC (TAG) instrument with GC x GC allowing for dramatically improved separation of organics with automated measurements at hourly timescales.     

The vertical distribution of halocarbons in the stratosphere

Summary By means of cryogenic sampling and subsequent gas-chromatographic analysis vertical profiles of CCl₄, CCl₃F, CCl₂F₂, CClF₃, CF₄, C₂Cl₃F₃, C₂Cl₂F₄, C₂ClF₅, C₂F₆, CH₃Cl and CH₃CCl₃ were derived for stratospheric heights up to 35 km. Vertical profiles of halocarbons computed by means of one-dimensional and two-dimensional models fall off less rapidly in the stratosphere than the measured profiles, this systematic discrepancy being due to deficiencies in the radiation and transport schemes of present models. It is shown that measured profiles of fully halogenated hydrocarbons provide a tool for systematically studying these deficiencies and thus improving the models. Sources and sinks of halocarbons are discussed, and an assessment of past and future sources of organically bound chlorine in the atmosphere is made.

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Die vertikale Verteilung halogenierter Kohlenwasserstoffe in der stratosphäre

Zusammenfassung Die vertikalen Profile von CCl₄, CCl₃F, CCl₂F₂, CClF₃, CF₄, C₂Cl₃F₃, C₂Cl₂F₄, C₂ClF₅, C₂F₆, CH₃Cl und CH₃CCl₃ wurden für stratosphärische Höhen bis zu 35 km mit Hilfe kryogener Probenahme und anschließender gas-chromatographischer Analyse bestimmt. Die mit Hilfe von ein- und zweidimensionalen Modellen berechneten Profile fallen in der Stratosphäre weniger schnell ab als die gemessenen. Dieser systematische Unterschied ist auf Mängel in den Strahlungs- und Transportmechanismen der gegenwärtigen Modelle zurückzuführen. Es wird gezeigt, daß die gemessenen Profile der vollhalogenisierten Kohlenwasserstoffe dazu dienen können, diese Mängel zu untersuchen und die Modelle zu verbessern. Ursprung und Verbleib der halogenierten Kohlenwasserstoffe werden beschrieben und vergangene und zukünftige Quellen organisch gebundenen Chlors in der Atmosphäre diskutiert.

     

Interaction between ozone and the chloride ion in sulfuric acid solutions up to 6-M concentration

The effect of sulfuric acid concentration on Cl₂ evolution in the reaction between O₃ and Cl^? has been investigated. The catalytic effects of metal ions in this reaction have been studied as a function of solution acidity. The chlorine evolution rate increases markedly with increasing acid concentration. At acid concentrations below 4 mol/l, the most effective catalyst is Co²⁺. The catalytic activities of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ peak at $C_{H_2 SO_4 } $ = 4.8 mol/l. In passing to highly acidic solutions ( $C_{H_2 SO_4 } $ > 5 mol/l), the catalytic activity of the metal ions decreases, but the chlorine evolution rate remains high owing to the high acidity. Kinetics of VO²⁺ oxidation with ozone in acid media have been studied, and the ozone solubility in aqueous sulfuric acid has been measured.     

Ozone reduction at Nafion modified Au electrode and the measurement of ozone concentration in highly resistive solutions

The mass transport and charge transfer kinetics of ozone reduction at Nafion coated Au electrodes were studied in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and highly resistive solutions such as distilled water and tap water. The diffusion coefficient and partition coefficient of ozone in Nafion coating are 1.78×10-6 cm2·s-1 and 2.75 at 25℃ (based on dry state thickness), respectively. The heterogeneous rate constants and Tafel slopes for ozone reduction at bare Au are 4.1×10-6 cm·s-1, 1.0×10-6 cm·s-1 and 181 mV, 207 mV in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 and distilled water respectively and the corresponding values for Nafion coated Au are 5.5×10-6 cm·s-1, 1.1×10-6 cm·s-1 and 182 mV, 168 mV respectively. The Au microelectrode with 3 μm Nafion coating shows good linearity over the range 0-10 mmol/L ozone in distilled water with sensitivity 61 μA·ppm-1 ·cm-2, detection limit 10 ppb and 95% response time below 5 s at 25℃. The temperature coefficient in range of 11-30℃ is 1.3%.     

Heterogeneous oxidation reaction of gas‐phase ozone with anthracene in thin films and on aerosols by infrared spectroscopic methods

In this paper, a real‐time laboratory study of the heterogeneous oxidation reaction of gas‐phase ozone with anthracene on surface substrates by using infrared spectroscopy in two distinctly different experimental configurations is reported. One set of kinetic measurements was made by attenuated total internal reflection infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy using approximately 75‐nm films of anthracene adsorbed on ZnSe, for which the reactive uptake coefficient was determined to be (2.0 ± 1.1) × 10^?7. Using an aerosol flow tube coupled to an infrared spectrometer (AFT‐IR), similar measurements were made on (NH₄)₂SO₄ (ammonium sulfate) aerosols coated with a 0.1‐μm film of anthracene. The aerosol kinetic results as a function of the ozone concentration are consistent with a Langmuir–Hinshelwood‐type mechanism, for which the ozone‐partitioning coefficient was K = (1.4 ± 1.7) × 10^?16 cm³ molecule^?1, and the maximum pseudo‐first‐order rate coefficient was k^I_max = (0.035 ± 0.016) s^?1. Infrared spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analysis of the ozonolysis reaction in the bulk phase identified the main ozonolysis products as dihydroxyanthrones, 9,10‐endoperoxide–anthracene, 9,10‐anthraquinone, and anthrone. Larger products were also seen in the mass spectra, most likely the result of secondary product and oligomer formation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 694–707, 2011