Multicomponent new particle formation from sulfuric acid, ammonia, and biogenic vapors

Open access
Date
2018-12-12Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 122 times in
Web of Science
Cited 127 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
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Abstract
A major fraction of atmospheric aerosol particles, which affect both air quality and climate, form from gaseous precursors in the atmosphere. Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs), formed by oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds, are known to participate in particle formation and growth. However, it is not well understood how they interact with atmospheric pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) from fossil fuel combustion, as well as ammonia (NH3) from livestock and fertilizers. Here, we show how NOx suppresses particle formation, while HOMs, sulfuric acid, and NH3 have a synergistic enhancing effect on particle formation. We postulate a novel mechanism, involving HOMs, sulfuric acid, and ammonia, which is able to closely reproduce observations of particle formation and growth in daytime boreal forest and similar environments. The findings elucidate the complex interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic vapors in the atmospheric aerosol system. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000313383Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Science AdvancesVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
AAASMore
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Citations
Cited 122 times in
Web of Science
Cited 127 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics