Reactive uptake of ozone by chlorophyll at aqueous surfaces

Inorganic Ions Enhance the Number of Product Compounds through Heterogeneous Processing of Gaseous NO2 on an Aqueous Layer of Acetosyringone

Methoxyphenols represent important pollutants that can participate in the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) through chemical reactions with atmospheric oxidants. In this study, we determine the influence of ionic strength, pH, and temperature on the heterogeneous reaction of NO₂ with an aqueous film consisting of acetosyringone (ACS), as a proxy for methoxyphenols. The uptake coefficient of NO₂ (50 ppb) on ACS (1 × 10^-5 mol L^-1) is γ = (9.3 ± 0.09) × 10^-8 at pH 5, and increases by one order of magnitude to γ = (8.6 ± 0.5) × 10^-7 at pH 11. The lifetime of ACS due to its reaction with NO₂ is largely affected by the presence of nitrate ions and sulfate ions encountered in aqueous aerosols. The analysis performed by membrane inlet single-photon ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MI-SPI-TOFMS) reveals an increase in the number of product compounds and a change of their chemical composition upon addition of nitrate ions and sulfate ions to the aqueous thin layer consisting of ACS. These outcomes indicate that inorganic ions can play an important role during the heterogeneous oxidation processes in aqueous aerosol particles.

Ionic Strength Effect Triggers Brown Carbon Formation through Heterogeneous Ozone Processing of Ortho-Vanillin

Methoxyphenols are an important class of compounds emerging from biomass combustion, and their reactions with ozone can generate secondary organic aerosols in the atmosphere. Here, we use a vertical wetted wall flow tube reactor to evaluate the effect of ionic strength on the heterogeneous reaction of gas-phase ozone (O₃) with a liquid film of o-vanillin (o-VL) (2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), as a proxy for methoxyphenols. Typical for moderately acidic aerosols, at fixed pH = 5.6, the uptake coefficients (γ) of O₃ on o-VL ([o-VL] = 1 × 10^-5 mol L^-1) increase from γ = (1.9 ± 0.1) × 10^-7 in the absence of Na₂SO₄ to γ = (6.8 ± 0.3) × 10^-7 at I = 0.2 mol L^-1, and then, it decreases again. The addition of NO₃^- ions only slightly decreases the uptakes of O₃. Ultrahigh-resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) reveals that the formation of multicore aromatic compounds is favored upon heterogeneous O₃ reaction with o-VL, in the presence of SO₄^2- and NO₃^- ions. The addition of NO₃^- ions favors the formation of nitrooxy (-ONO₂) or oxygenated nitrooxy group of organonitrates, which are components of brown carbon that can affect both climate and air quality.

Ionic Strength Effect Alters the Heterogeneous Ozone Oxidation of Methoxyphenols in Going from Cloud Droplets to Aerosol Deliquescent Particles

Methoxyphenols are one of the most abundant classes of biomarker tracers for atmospheric wood smoke pollution. The reactions of atmospheric oxidants (ozone, OH) with methoxyphenols can contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Here, for the first time, we use the well-established vertical wetted wall flow tube (VWWFT) reactor to assess the effect of ionic strength (I), pH, temperature, and ozone concentration on the reaction kinetics of ozone with acetosyringone (ACS), as a representative methoxyphenol compound. At fixed pH 3, typical for acidic atmospheric deliquescent particles, and at I = 0.9 M adjusted by Na₂SO₄, the uptake coefficient (γ) of O₃ increases by 2 orders of magnitude from γ = (5.0 ± 0.8) × 10^-8 on neat salt solution (Na₂SO₄) to γ = (6.0 ± 0.01) × 10^-6 on a mixture of ACS and Na₂SO₄. The comparison of the uptake coefficients of O₃ at different pH values indicates that the reaction kinetics strongly depends on the acidity of the phenolic group of ACS. The observed different reactivity of gas-phase ozone with ACS has implications for ozone uptake by the dilute aqueous phase of cloud droplets and by aerosol deliquescent particles loaded with inorganic salts, and it can affect the formation of SOA in the atmosphere.

A kinetic model for ozone uptake by solutions and aqueous particles containing I- and Br-, including seawater and sea-salt aerosol

The heterogeneous interactions of gaseous ozone (O3) with seawater and with sea-salt aerosols are known to generate volatile halogen species, which, in turn, lead to further destruction of O3. Here, a kinetic model for the interaction of ozone (O3) with Br- and I- solutions and aqueous particles has been proposed that satisfactorily explains previous literature studies about this process. Apart from the aqueous-phase reactions X- + O3 (X = I, Br), the interaction also involves the surface reactions X- + O3 that occur via O3 adsorption on the aqueous surface. In single salt solutions and aerosols, the partial order in ozone and the total order of the surface reactions are one, but the apparent total order is second order because the number of ozone sites where reaction can occur is equal to the surficial concentration of X- ([X-]surf). In the presence of Cl-, the surface reactions are enhanced by a factor equal to , where and . Therefore, we have inferred that Cl- acts as a catalyst in the surface reactions X- + O3. The model has been applied to estimate ozone uptake by the reaction with these halides in/on seawater and in/on sea-salt aerosol, where it has been concluded that the Cl--catalyzed surface reaction is important relative to total ozone uptake and should therefore be considered to model Y/YO (Y = I, Br, Cl) levels in the troposphere.

A revisit of the interaction of gaseous ozone with aqueous iodide. Estimating the contributions of the surface and bulk reactions

The main source of atmospheric iodine is the heterogeneous reaction of aqueous iodide (I-) with ozone (O3), which takes place in surface seawater and probably in sea-salt aerosols. However, there are seemingly contradictory conclusions about whether this heterogeneous reaction occurs in the bulk of the aqueous phase, via O3 dissolution, or at the aqueous surface, via O3 adsorption. In this work, the ozone uptake coefficient has been calculated as a function of the concentration of aqueous iodide ([I-]aq) and gaseous ozone near the aqueous surface ([O3]gs) by estimating parameters of the resistor model using results of previous studies. The calculated uptake coefficients suggest that the aqueous-phase reaction dominates at low I- concentrations (about <10-4 mol L-1), regardless of [O3]gs, and also at sufficiently high [O3]gs (about >80 ppm), regardless of [I-]aq. In contrast, the surface reaction dominates at high [I-]aq (about >10-4 mol L-1) as long as [O3]gs is low enough (about <80 ppm). This trend is able to reconcile previous studies of this reaction, and is a consequence of several factors, including the high surface excess of both reactants ozone and iodide. Given the typical O3 concentrations in the troposphere and the possible I- concentrations and O3 solubilities in sea-salt aerosols, the surface reaction may compete with the aqueous-phase reaction in accumulation-mode aerosols, unlike in surface seawater, where the aqueous-phase reaction probably prevails. The rate constant of the surface reaction has been estimated as (3-40) × 10-13 cm2 molecule-1 s-1.

Ionic-Strength Effects on the Reactive Uptake of Ozone on Aqueous Pyruvic Acid: Implications for Air-Sea Ozone Deposition

A vertical wetted-wall flow-tube technique was used to explore the ionic strength effects at the air-water interface in mediating the sea-surface reaction between ozone (O₃) and pyruvic acid (PA). The uptake coefficients of ozone on aqueous PA increase substantially with the concentrations of bromide (Br^-) ions, clearly indicating that the dry deposition of ozone could be significantly enhanced due to the presence of carbonyl compounds such as PA at the bromide-rich sea surface. Based on the observed uptake coefficients, the estimated deposition velocity of ozone (100 ppb) for a nanomolar range of PA concentrations is ∼1 × 10^-3 m s^-1, which represents a significant contribution to the known deposition velocity of ozone at the sea surface. The analysis of reaction products by ultra-high-resolution Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry suggests the formation of oligomers during both the dark and light-induced heterogeneous reactions between gaseous O₃ and PA occurring at the surface of a dilute aqueous phase (representative of cloud droplets). The detected high-molecular-weight compounds are much more complex than the oligomeric species identified during the photolytic degradation of bulk aqueous PA alone.

Fatty Acid Surfactant Photochemistry Results in New Particle Formation

Organic interfaces that exist at the sea surface microlayer or as surfactant coatings on cloud droplets are highly concentrated and chemically distinct from the underlying bulk or overlying gas phase. Therefore, they may be potentially unique locations for chemical or photochemical reactions. Recently, photochemical production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was reported at a nonanoic acid interface however, subsequent secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particle production was incapable of being observed. We investigated SOA particle formation due to photochemical reactions occurring at an air-water interface in presence of model saturated long chain fatty acid and alcohol surfactants, nonanoic acid and nonanol, respectively. Ozonolysis of the gas phase photochemical products in the dark or under continued UV irradiation both resulted in nucleation and growth of SOA particles. Irradiation of nonanol did not yield detectable VOC or SOA production. Organic carbon functionalities of the SOA were probed using X-ray microspectroscopy and compared with other laboratory generated and field collected particles. Carbon-carbon double bonds were identified in the condensed phase which survived ozonolysis during new particle formation and growth. The implications of photochemical processes occurring at organic coated surfaces are discussed in the context of marine SOA particle atmospheric fluxes.

Photosensitized reactions initiated by 6-carboxypterin: singlet and triplet reactivity

The photophysical and photochemical properties of 6-carboxypterin, a model compound for the pterin derivatives present at the sea surface microlayer, were studied and its singlet and triplet reactivity toward halides and selected organics demonstrated.

Application of Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) to the study of gas-surface heterogeneous reactions: focus on ozone and PAHs

A novel analytical method is presented whereby Direct Analysis in Real Time-Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) is applied to the study of gas-surface heterogeneous reactions. To illustrate the capabilities of the approach, the kinetics of a well-studied reaction of surface-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with ozone are presented. Specifically, using helium as the reagent gas and with the DART heater temperature of 500 °C, nanogram quantities of benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) deposited on the outside of glass melting point capillary tubes were analyzed in positive ion mode with a limit of detection of 40 pg. Using bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate as an internal standard, the kinetics of the ozone-BeP reaction were assessed by determining the surface-bound BeP decays, after oxidation in an off-line reaction cell. The reaction is demonstrated to follow the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, known to prevail for heterogeneous reactions of this type. In addition, a wide array of oxygenated, condensed-phase products has been observed. The present work demonstrates the capability of the DART-MS technique to investigate the heterogeneous chemistry taking place on a wide range of surfaces, such as those that form in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Modification of ozone deposition and I2 emissions at the air-aqueous interface by dissolved organic carbon of marine origin

The reaction between gaseous ozone (O3) and aqueous iodide (I(-)) at the surface microlayer (SML) is believed to be a major chemical contributor to the oceanic dry deposition of O3 over open ocean waters and has also recently been shown to produce environmentally significant quantities of gaseous molecular iodine (I2). Here we investigate how this reaction is affected by the presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of marine origin, using a heterogeneous flow reactor and detection of gaseous I2 by solvent trapping and UV/vis spectroscopy. Ozone deposition measurements over coastal seawater implied an O3 reactivity (λ) toward coastal marine DOC of ∼500 (420-580) s(-1), 2-5 times higher than that toward iodide at typical ocean concentrations (∼0.5-1 × 10(-7) M). We added varying amounts of highly concentrated DOC extracted from coastal seawater to I(-) solutions (1 × 10(-5) M) such that the relative reactivities of DOC and I(-) toward O3 (λDOC/λI) were in the expected range for natural seawater. The evolution of gaseous I2 and the loss of aqueous I(-) both reduced as DOC concentrations increased, with an overall suppression of I2 emissions of about a factor of 2 under conditions of λDOC/λI representative of open ocean waters (0.5-1). A kinetic model of the SML suggested that neither competition of DOC with I(-) for reaction with interfacial O3, nor direct loss of I2 and hypoiodous acid (HOI) through reaction with increasing quantities of DOC, can fully explain these results. We conclude that the suppression of I2 emissions by DOC is largely a physical effect arising from a decrease in the net transfer of I2 from the aqueous to gas phase, as suggested by recent laboratory studies.

Sea-surface chemistry and its impact on the marine boundary layer

The abundance of organic compounds at the surface of oceans provides a link between ocean biogeochemistry and the atmospheric chemistry of the marine boundary layer through physicochemical processes at and near the air-water interface. These processes, in turn, affect the formation and growth of marine boundary layer aerosols, being involved in primary and secondary aerosol formation and evolution in the atmosphere. The photochemistry and photosensitizing properties of the kinds of biogenically derived organic coatings present at the ocean surface have until now only been suggested but never fully addressed. We present the current state of understanding, and make some suggestions for where the field may go, for greater understanding of the possible feedbacks of air/sea exchanges on air quality and climate change.

Atmospheric photosensitized heterogeneous and multiphase reactions: from outdoors to indoors

This proposal involves direct photolysis processes occurring in the troposphere incorporating photochemical excitation and intermolecular energy transfer. The study of such processes could provide a better understanding of ·OH radical formation pathways in the atmosphere and in consequence, of a more accurate prediction of the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. Compounds that readily absorb in the tropospheric actinic window (ionic organic complexes, PAHs, aromatic carbonyl compounds) acting as potential photosensitizers of atmospheric relevant processes are explored. The impact of hotosensitation on relevant systems which could act as powerful atmospheric reactors,that is, interface ocean-atmosphere, urban and forest surfaces and indoor air environments is also discussed.

Adsorption and reaction of trace gas-phase organic compounds on atmospheric water film surfaces: a critical review

The air-water interface in atmospheric water films of aerosols and hydrometeors (fog, mist, ice, rain, and snow) presents an important surface for the adsorption and reaction of many organic trace gases and gaseous reactive oxidants (hydroxyl radical (OH(.)), ozone (O(3)), singlet oxygen (O(2)((1)Delta(g))), nitrate radicals (NO(3)(.)), and peroxy radicals (RO(2)(.)). Knowledge of the air-water interface partition constant of hydrophobic organic species is necessary for elucidating the significance of the interface in atmospheric fate and transport. Various methods of assessing both experimental and theoretical values of the thermodynamic partition constant and adsorption isotherm are described in this review. Further, the reactivity of trace gases with gas-phase oxidants (ozone and singlet oxygen) at the interface is summarized. Oxidation products are likely to be more water-soluble and precursors for secondary organic aerosols in hydrometeors. Estimation of characteristic times shows that heterogeneous photooxidation in water films can compete effectively with homogeneous gas-phase reactions for molecules in the atmosphere. This provides further support to the existing thesis that reactions of organic compounds at the air-water interface should be considered in gas-phase tropospheric chemistry.

Photochemistry of atmospheric dust: ozone decomposition on illuminated titanium dioxide

The ozone decomposition onto mineral surfaces prepared with traces of solid TiO2 in a matrix of SiO2 in order to mimic mineral dust particles has been investigated using a coated-wall flow-tube system at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The ozone uptake coefficients were measured both under dark conditions and irradiation using near UV-light. While uptake in the dark was negligible, a large photoenhanced ozone uptake was observed. For TiO2/SiO2 mixtures under irradiation, the uptake coefficients increased with increasing TiO2 mass fraction (from 1 to 3 wt %), and the corresponding uptake coefficient based on the geometric surfaces ranged from 3 x 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-5). The uptake kinetics was also observed to increase with decreasing ozone concentration between 290 and 50 ppbv. Relative humidity influenced the ozone uptake on the film, and a reduced ozone loss was observed for relative humidity above 30%. The experimental results suggest that under atmospherically relevant conditions the photochemistry of dust can represent an important sink of ozone inside the dust plume.

Multiphase chemistry of ozone on fulvic acids solutions

By means of a wetted-wall flow tube, we studied the multiphase chemistry of ozone on aqueous solutions containing fulvic acids (FA), taken as proxies for atmospheric "humic like substances", so-called HULIS. In these experiments, the loss of gaseous O3 was monitored by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy at the reactor outlet (i.e., after contact between the gaseous and liquid phases). Measurements are reported in terms of dimensionless uptake coefficients (gamma) in the range from 1.6 x 10(-7) to 1.3 x 10(-5) depending on ozone gas phase concentration (in the range from 6.6 to 34.4 x 10(11) molecules cm(-3)) and fulvic acid aqueous concentration (in the range from 0.25 to 2.5 mg L(-1)) and pH (in the range from 2.5 to 9.2). The measured kinetics were observed to follow a Langmuir-Hinshelwood type mechanism, in which O3 first adsorbs on the liquid surface and then reacts with the Fulvic Acid molecules. The reported uptake coefficients are greatly increased over those measured on pure water, demonstrating that the presence in solution of fulvic acids does greatly enhance the uptake kinetics. Accordingly, the chemical interactions of fulvic acids (or HULIS) may be a driving force for the uptake of ozone on liquid organic aerosols and can also represent an important mechanism for the O3 deposition to the rivers and lakes.

Photoenhanced uptake of NO2 by pyrene solid films

We report uptake kinetics measurements of the heterogeneous reaction of gas phase NO2 with solid films of pyrene. By using a coated flow tube equipped with several near-ultraviolet (UV) emitting lamps (range 300-420 nm), we examined the effect of actinic radiation on the heterogeneous loss kinetics of nitrogen dioxide. With atmospherically relevant concentrations of NO2, (20-119 ppbv), the uptake ranged from below 10(-7) in the dark to 3.5 x 10(-6) under near-UV irradiation. Under illuminated conditions, the uptake coefficient decreased markedly with increasing gas-phase concentration, suggestive of a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-type surface reaction mechanism. The NO2 reactivity was not a function of deposited Pyrene mass or of the relative humidity (in the range 10-89%) and depended linearly on the intensity of illumination. Gas-phase product analysis indicated that approximately 50% of the NO2 loss could be accounted for by HONO and NO release. These experimental results are discussed along with a possible nitration mechanism.