Atmospheric oxidation of Folpet initiated by OH radicals, NO3 radicals, and O3

The fate of Folpet is dictated by oxidation initiated by atmospheric oxidants such as O₃, OH, and NO₃ radicals. Considering the oxidant concentration in the atmosphere, Folpet seems to be mainly scavenged by NO₃ radicals, especially at night.

On the natural spatio-temporal heterogeneity of South Pacific nitrous oxide

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a powerful greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance, but its natural sources, especially marine emissions, are poorly constrained. Localized high concentrations have been observed in the oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) of the tropical Pacific but the impacts of El Niño cycles on this key source region are unknown. Here we show atmospheric monitoring station measurements in Samoa combined with atmospheric back-trajectories provide novel information on N₂O variability across the South Pacific. Remarkable elevations in Samoan concentrations are obtained in air parcels that pass over the OMZ. The data further reveal that average concentrations of these OMZ air parcels are augmented during La Niña and decrease sharply during El Niño. The observed natural spatial heterogeneities and temporal dynamics in marine N₂O emissions can confound attempts to develop future projections of this climatically active gas as low oxygen zones are predicted to expand and El Niño cycles change.

Ocean oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are known to emit the powerful greenhouse gas N₂O, but global emission dynamics are not constrained. Here the authors use air trajectory analyses and find that air masses pick up N₂O as they pass over OMZs, and that overall concentrations are elevated during La Niña events.

100 Years of Progress in Gas-Phase Atmospheric Chemistry Research

Remarkable progress has occurred over the last 100 years in our understanding of atmospheric chemical composition, stratospheric and tropospheric chemistry, urban air pollution, acid rain, and the formation of airborne particles from gas-phase chemistry. Much of this progress was associated with the developing understanding of the formation and role of ozone and of the oxides of nitrogen, NO and NO2, in the stratosphere and troposphere. The chemistry of the stratosphere, emerging from the pioneering work of Chapman in 1931, was followed by the discovery of catalytic ozone cycles, ozone destruction by chlorofluorocarbons, and the polar ozone holes, work honored by the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Crutzen, Rowland, and Molina. Foundations for the modern understanding of tropospheric chemistry were laid in the 1950s and 1960s, stimulated by the eye-stinging smog in Los Angeles. The importance of the hydroxyl (OH) radical and its relationship to the oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO2) emerged. The chemical processes leading to acid rain were elucidated. The atmosphere contains an immense number of gas-phase organic compounds, a result of emissions from plants and animals, natural and anthropogenic combustion processes, emissions from oceans, and from the atmospheric oxidation of organics emitted into the atmosphere. Organic atmospheric particulate matter arises largely as gas-phase organic compounds undergo oxidation to yield low-volatility products that condense into the particle phase. A hundred years ago, quantitative theories of chemical reaction rates were nonexistent. Today, comprehensive computer codes are available for performing detailed calculations of chemical reaction rates and mechanisms for atmospheric reactions. Understanding the future role of atmospheric chemistry in climate change and, in turn, the impact of climate change on atmospheric chemistry, will be critical to developing effective policies to protect the planet.

Kinetics Study of the Reactions of OH with n-Undecane and n-Dodecane Using the RR/DF/MS Technique

The kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radical with n-undecane (n-C₁₁H₂₄) and n-dodecane (n-C₁₂H₂₆) has been studied at 240-340 K and a total pressure of 1 Torr using the relative rate/discharge flow/mass spectrometry (RR/DF/MS) technique. The rate constants at 298 K for these reactions were determined to be k_{n-undecane+OH} = (1.59 ± 0.24) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1 and k_{n-dodecane+OH} = (1.83 ± 0.26) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1, respectively. The rate constants of these reactions were found to positively dependent on temperature at 277-340 K, and negatively dependent on temperature at 240-277 K. The atmospheric lifetime of these compounds are estimated to be 25.8 and 19.8 h for n-undecane and n-dodecane, respectively, based the kinetics results in the present study.

Enhanced methane emissions from tropical wetlands during the 2011 La Niña

Year-to-year variations in the atmospheric methane (CH₄) growth rate show significant correlation with climatic drivers. The second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011 experienced the strongest La Niña since the early 1980s, when global surface networks started monitoring atmospheric CH₄ mole fractions. We use these surface measurements, retrievals of column-averaged CH₄ mole fractions from GOSAT, new wetland inundation estimates, and atmospheric δ¹³C-CH₄ measurements to estimate the impact of this strong La Niña on the global atmospheric CH₄ budget. By performing atmospheric inversions, we find evidence of an increase in tropical CH₄ emissions of ∼6–9 TgCH₄ yr⁻¹ during this event. Stable isotope data suggest that biogenic sources are the cause of this emission increase. We find a simultaneous expansion of wetland area, driven by the excess precipitation over the Tropical continents during the La Niña. Two process-based wetland models predict increases in wetland area consistent with observationally-constrained values, but substantially smaller per-area CH₄ emissions, highlighting the need for improvements in such models. Overall, tropical wetland emissions during the strong La Niña were at least by 5% larger than the long-term mean.

Laboratory study on OH-initiated degradation kinetics of dehydroabietic acid

The degradation kinetics of dehydroabietic acid by OH radicals were investigated under various environmental conditions.

Kinetics study of the reaction of OH radicals with C5-C8 cycloalkanes at 240-340 K using the relative rate/discharge flow/mass spectrometry technique

Rate constants of reactions of hydroxyl radical with cyclopentane (k1), cyclohexane (k2), cycloheptane (k3), and cyclooctane (k4) have been acquired at 240-340 K and a total pressure of about 1 Torr using the technique of relative rate combined with discharge flow and mass spectrometry (RR/DF/MS). At 298 K, the rate constants are determined using two reference compounds, which are averaged to be k1 = (4.81 ± 0.88) × 10(-12), k2 = (6.41 ± 0.85) × 10(-12), k3 = (10.30 ± 1.44) × 10(-12), and k4 = (1.42 ± 0.27) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The Arrhenius expressions at 240-340 K for these reactions are determined to be k1(T) = (2.43 ± 0.50) × 10(-11)exp[-(481 ± 58)/T], k2(T) = (3.96 ± 0.60) × 10(-11)exp[-554 ± 42)/T], k3(T) = (5.74 ± 0.66) × 10(-11)exp[-527 ± 33)/T], and k4(T) = (1.12 ± 0.21) × 10(-10)exp[-626 ± 53)/T]. Using the kcycloalkane+OH(277 K) values measured in the present work, the atmospheric lifetime for cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, and cyclooctane is estimated to be about 78, 64, 38, and 29 h, respectively.

Rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with CF3CH2CH3 (HFC-263fb) between 200 and 400 K: ab initio, DFT, and transition state theory calculations

Rate coefficients for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with CF(3)CH(2)CH(3) (HFC-263fb) were computed using ab initio methods, viz. MP2, G3MP2, and G3B3 theories between 200 and 400 K. Structures of the reactants in the ground state (GS) and transition state (TS) were optimized at MP2(FULL)/6-31G*, MP2(FULL)/6-311+ +G**, and B3LYP/6-31G* level of theories. Seven TSs were identified for the title reaction in the above theories. However, five out of seven TSs were found to be symmetrically distinct. The kinetic parameters due to these five different TSs are presented in this manuscript. Intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations were performed to confirm the existence of transition states. The contributions of all the individual hydrogens in the substrate for the reaction are estimated and compared with the results obtained using Structure Additivity Relationships. The rate coefficients for the title reaction were computed to be k = (7.96 +/- 0.93) x 10(-13) exp [-(2245 +/- 30)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at MP2, k = (9.50 +/- 0.93) x 10(-13) exp [-(1162 +/- 30)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at G3MP2, and k = (7.01 +/- 0.88) x 10(-13) exp [-(753 +/- 35)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)at G3B3 theories. The theoretically computed rate coefficients are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined ones. The OH-driven atmospheric lifetimes of this compound are computed to be 132, 2.2, and 0.7 years at, MP2, G3MP2, and G3B3 level of theories, respectively.

Application of gas chromatography with a pulsed discharge helium ionization detector for measurements of molecular hydrogen in the atmosphere

The Earth's troposphere contains approximately 160 Tg H2 with an average surface mixing ratio approximately 530 nmole mole(-1) (ppb) and lifetime of 2 years. Atmospheric H2 is typically measured using gas chromatography (GC) followed by hot mercuric oxide reduction detection (GC-HgO). Here we describe an alternate method using GC with a pulsed-discharge helium ionization detector (HePPD). HePPD is a universal detector; when applied to H2, the GC-HePDD provides a wide linear range (0.3% over a range of 2000 ppb), a detection limit of approximately 0.03 pg, high precision (0.12%) and a stable response (+/-1.6% over nearly one year). HePPD is compared to HgO reduction using a suite of gravimetrically prepared reference gases spanning remote to urban concentrations. The method is excellent for atmospheric measurements as it provides a wide linear range with high precision, stability and reproducibility. We suggest these characteristics will improve the ability to maintain reference gases and improve measurements of atmospheric H2, thus providing better constraints on potential future changes in its sources and sinks.

Environmental fate and effects of nicotine released during cigarette production

A variety of test methods were used to study the gradation, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of nicotine. Studies included determination of the octanol-water partition coefficient, conversion to CO2 in soil and activated sludge, and evaluation of the effects on microbiological and algal inhibition as well as plant germination and root elongation. The partitioning of nicotine between octanol and water indicated that nicotine will not bioaccumulate regardless of the pH of the medium. The aqueous and soil-based biodegradation studies indicated that nicotine is readily biodegradable in both types of media. The microbiological inhibition and aquatic and terrestrial toxicity tests indicated that nicotine has low toxicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Persistence, Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity Profiler model, based on the structure of nicotine and the predictive rates of hydroxyl radical and ozone reactions, estimated an atmospheric half-life of less than 5.0 h. Using this value in the Canadian Environmental Modeling Center level III model, the half-life of nicotine was estimated as 3.0 d in water and 0.5 d in soil. This model also estimated nicotine discharge into the environment; nicotine would be expected to be found predominantly in water (93%), followed by soil (4%), air (3%), and sediment (0.4%). Using the estimated nicotine concentrations in water, soil, and sediment and the proper median effective concentrations derived from the algal growth, biomass inhibition, and buttercrunch lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seed germination and root elongation studies, hazard quotients of between 10(-7) and 10(-8) were calculated, providing further support for the conclusion that the potential for nicotine toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial species in the environment is extremely low.

Kinetics study of OH radical reactions with n-octane, n-nonane, and n-decane at 240-340 K using the relative rate/discharge flow/mass spectrometry technique

The kinetics of the reactions of hydroxyl radical with n-octane (k1), n-nonane (k2), and n-decane (k3) at 240-340 K and a total pressure of approximately 1 Torr has been studied using relative rate combined with discharge flow and mass spectrometer (RR/DF/MS) technique. The rate constant for these reactions was found to be positively dependent on temperature, with an Arrhenius expression of k1 = (2.27 +/- 0.21) x 10(-11)exp[(-296 +/- 27)/T], k2 = (4.35 +/- 0.49) x 10(-11)exp[(-411 +/- 32)/T], and k3 = (2.26 +/- 0.28) x 10(-11)exp[(-160 +/- 36)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) (uncertainties taken as 2sigma), respectively. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies at and above room temperature using different techniques. Assuming that the reaction of alkane with hydroxyl radical is the predominant form for loss of these alkanes in the troposphere, the atmospheric lifetime for n-octane, n-nonane, and n-decane is estimated to be about 43, 35, and 28 h, respectively.

Photolysis of 4-Oxo-2-pentenal in the 190−460 nm Region

We have studied the gas-phase photolysis of 4-oxo-2-pentenal by laser photolysis combined with cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Absorption cross sections of cis- and trans-4-oxo-2-pentenal have been measured in the 190-460 nm region. The product channel following 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm photolysis of 4-oxo-2-pentenal was investigated. The HCO radical is a photodissociation product of 4-oxo-2-pentenal only at 193 and 248 nm. The HCO quantum yields from the photolysis of a mainly trans-4-oxo-2-pentenal sample are 0.13 +/- 0.02 and 0.014 +/- 0.003 at 193 and 248 nm, where errors quoted (1sigma) represent experimental scatter. The HCO quantum yields from the photolysis of a mainly cis-4-oxo-2-pentenal sample are 0.078 +/- 0.012 and 0.018 +/- 0.007 at 193 and 248 nm, where errors quoted (1sigma) represent experimental scatter. The end-products from 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm photolysis of 4-oxo-2-pentenal (the 4-oxo-2-pentenal sample had a tran/cis ratio of 1.062:1) have been determined by FTIR. Ethane, methyl vinyl ketone, and 5-methyl-3H-furan-2-one have been observed, suggesting the occurrence of 4-oxo-2-pentenal photolysis pathways such as CH(3)COCH=CHCHO + hnu --> CH(3) + COCH=CHCHO, CH(3)COCH=CHCHO + hnu --> CH(3)COCH=CH(2) + CO, and CH(3)COCH=CHCHO + hnu --> 5-methyl-3H-furan-2-one. The estimated yields for the CH(3) + COCH=CHCHO channel are about 25%, 33%, 31%, and 23% at 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm, respectively. The absolute uncertainties in the determination of CH(3) + COCH=CHCHO yields are within 55% at 193 nm, and 65% at 248, 308, and 351 nm. The estimated yields for the CH(3)COCH=CH(2) + CO channel are about 25%, 23%, 40%, and 33% at 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm, respectively. The absolute uncertainties in the determination of CH(3)COCH=CH(2) yields are within 80% at 193 and 248 nm and 65% at 308 and 351 nm. The estimated yields for the 5-methyl-3H-furan-2-one channel are about 1.2%, 2.1%, 5.3%, and 5.5% at 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm, respectively. The absolute uncertainties in the determination of 5-methyl-3H-furan-2-one yields are about 23%, 86%, 40%, and 46% at 193, 248, 308, and 351 nm. Results from our investigation indicate that photolysis is a dominant removal pathway for 4-oxo-2-pentenal degradation in the atmosphere.

Rate Coefficients for the Reactions of OH with CF3CH2CH3 (HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F (HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2 (HFC-245ea) between 238 and 375 K

Rate coefficients for reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with three hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) CF3CH2CH3, HFC-263fb, (k1); CF3CHFCH2F, HFC-245eb, (k2); and CHF2CHFCHF2, HFC-245ea, (k3); which are suggested as potential substitutes to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were measured using pulsed laser photolysis-laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) between 235 and 375 K. The Arrhenius expressions obtained are k1(T) = (4.36 +/- 0.72) x 10(-12) exp[-(1290 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k2(T) = (1.23 +/- 0.18) x 10(-12) exp[-(1250 +/- 40)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1); k3(T) = (1.91 +/- 0.42) x 10(-12) exp[-(1375 +/- 100)/T] cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). The quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence limits and include estimated systematic errors. The present results are discussed and compared with rate coefficients available in the literature. Our results are also compared with those calculated using structure activity relationships (SAR) for fluorinated compounds. The IR absorption cross-sections at room temperature for these compounds were measured over the range of 500 to 4000 cm-1. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of CF3CH2CH3(HFC-263fb), CF3CHFCH2F(HFC-245eb), and CHF2CHFCHF2(HFC-245ea) were calculated to be 234, 962, and 723 for a 20-year horizon; 70, 286, and 215 for a 100-year horizon; and 22, 89, and 68 for a 500-year horizon; and the atmospheric lifetimes of these compounds are 0.8, 2.5, and 2.6 years, respectively. It is concluded that these compounds are acceptable substitutes for CFCs in terms of their impact on Earth's climate.

Atmospheric transformation of diesel emissions

This paper reviews the major physical and chemical transformation the primary diesel emissions undergo during dispersion and transport in the atmosphere. Since diesel emissions contain compounds that are present in other combustion source's emissions, their atmospheric transformations are not specific to this source category only. The most important chemical reactions of diesel exhaust constituents are with OH radicals, followed by ozone, NO3 radicals and light. While data now exists concerning the chemical and physical nature and the inventory of diesel emissions, our knowledge concerning the products of their chemical transformations is still limited. In particular, there is currently very little in the literature that addresses the impact of atmospheric transformation on the health effects of inhaled diesel exhaust. As an example of such a study, the design and the preliminary data obtained from the current project executed with the aid of the European Photoreactor (EUPHORE) simulation chamber in Valencia, Spain, is discussed.

The oxidative capacity of the troposphere: Coupling of field measurements of OH and a global chemistry transport model

A combination of in situ, ground-based observations of marine boundary layer OH concentrations performed by laser-induced fluorescence at Mace Head, Ireland and Cape Grim, Tasmania, and a global chemistry-transport model (GEOS-CHEM) are used to obtain an estimate of the mean concentration of OH in the global troposphere. The model OH field is constrained to the geographically sparse, observed OH concentration averaged over the duration of the measurement campaigns to remove diurnal and synoptic variability. The mean northern and southern hemispheric OH concentrations obtained are 0.91 x 10(6) cm(-3) and 1.03 x 10(6) cm(-3) respectively, consistent with values determined from methyl chloroform observations. The observational OH dataset is heavily biased towards mid-latitude summer and autumn observations in the northern hemisphere, while the global oxidising capacity is dominated by the tropics which is observed extremely sparsely; the implications of these geographical distributions are discussed.

Input of trichloroacetic acid into the vegetation of various climate zones--measurements on several continents

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA, CCl(3)COOH) is a phytotoxic chemical. Although TCA salts and derivates were once used as herbicides to combat perennial grasses and weeds, they have since been banned because of their indiscriminate herbicidal effects on woody plant species. However, TCA can also be formed in the atmosphere. For instance, the high-volatile C(2)-chlorohydrocarbons tetrachloroethene (TECE, C(2)Cl(4)) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCE, CCl(3)CH(3)) can react under oxidative conditions in the atmosphere to form TCA and other substances. The ongoing industrialisation of Southeast Asia, South Africa and South America means that use of TECE as solvents in the metal and textile industries of these regions in the southern hemisphere can be expected to rise. The increasing emissions of this substance--together with the rise in the atmospheric oxidation potential caused by urban activities, slash and burn agriculture and forest fires in the southern hemisphere--could lead to a greater input/formation of TCA in the vegetation located in the lee of these emission sources. By means of biomonitoring studies, the input/formation of TCA in vegetation was detected at various locations in South America, North America, Africa, and Europe.

QSARs for identifying and prioritizing substances with persistence and bioconcentration potential

From the 8511 chemicals with 1998 production volumes reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee's (ITC's) Degradation Effects Bioconcentration Information Testing Strategies (DEBITS) was used to identify 56 chemicals. The DEBITS Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships (QSARs) and the U.S. EPA's PBT profiler QSARs were used to predict the persistence and bioconcentration factors of these 56 chemicals. Partial order ranking was used to prioritise the chemicals based on persistence and bioconcentration potential.