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The ozone (O3) oxidation kinetics of cysteine in aqueous micro‐droplets at different acidities is investigated in this study via aerosol optical tweezers coupled with Raman spectroscopy. This study exploits the O3 oxidation of cysteine near the interface of micro‐droplets as a model system to elucidate the oxidation damage of amino acids in biosurfaces. For each optically trapped micro‐droplet, Raman spectroscopy is used to determine its droplet radius, concentrations of solutes, and droplet pH, as well as their time evolutions during the kinetics measurements. The bimolecular rate coefficients of the cysteine + O3 reaction measured in micro‐droplets are around 4 × 105 M−1 s−1 and 2 × 104 M−1 s−1 for pH ≈ 5 and 0.5, respectively. These results agree with the previous bulk measurements, indicating that the observed aerosol kinetics can be solely rationalized via diffusion‐limited kinetics. The results also indicate that a high‐ionic strength could enhance the cysteine + O3 reaction, particularly for the zwitterion form of cysteine. The results imply that when surfactant proteins in lung fluids are exposed to ambient O3, the cysteine residues in proteins will be attacked by O3 at first due to the high reactivity of the thiol moiety in cysteine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In particular, Prof. Lin employed both velocity map ion imaging method and step-scan Fourier transform spectroscopy, as well as theoretical model, to explore the roaming mechanism in photo-dissociation, which is one of hot topics in the field of reaction dynamics during recent decades. B Professor b King-Chuen Lin (1953-2022): A visionary chemist, a role model of persistent scientist, and an inspiring mentor, who dedicated his fruitful research career to chemical dynamics, analytical spectroscopy, biophysical instrumentation, and nanomaterials. ANALYTICAL SPECTROSCOPY B Prof. Lin's b research encompassed not only gas-phase chemical kinetics but also applied laser spectroscopy and analytical chemistry, specifically emphasizing ultra-trace elemental analysis. [Extracted from the article]

Contrasting moisture evolutions between westerlies‐dominated Central Asia and monsoonal Asia since the mid‐Holocene have been widely recognized. Yet, inconsistent hydrological records over the early Holocene from both regions hamper our understanding of hydroclimatic changes and associated mechanisms. Here we present isotopic and biomarker (alkenone) records from three Chinese lakes located at both regions to address a possible meltwater role in lake water budget. Our results show the occurrence of particularly depleted isotopic values of lake water associated with lake freshening within the deglaciation and early Holocene. Together with anomalously old 14C dates, which were also documented in many other Asian lakes, our observations likely indicate substantial meltwater contribution to mid‐latitude Asian lake water budget, along with the climatic warming. Hence, the potential meltwater effect should be considered when inferring Asian summer monsoon and westerlies behavior over this critical period, with important implications to Holocene hydrological reconstructions and future hydroclimatic projections. Plain Language Summary: Although meltwater events have been well documented in marine records, the effects of meltwater on Asian lake water budget and regional hydrological cycle during the deglaciation and warm early Holocene remain poorly investigated. Our isotopic and biomarker records from Lake Sayram, Yanhaizi, and Qinghai in northern China, together with anomalously old 14C dates from investigated lakes and other Asian lakes, likely indicate substantial meltwater contribution to lake water budget within the deglaciation and early Holocene, which appears to be a large‐scale phenomenon in mid‐latitude Asia. This suggests that the potential meltwater effect on Asian lake hydrology should be assessed in climatic reconstructions and simulations, which may shed light on accurate interpretation of westerlies and summer monsoon circulation over the early Holocene. Key Points: Isotopic records likely indicate meltwater contribution to Asian lake water budget within the deglaciation and early HoloceneAnomalously old 14C dates summarized from mid‐latitude Asian lakes also support substantial meltwater input during this periodMeltwater effects should be considered when inferring early Holocene Asian summer monsoon and westerlies behavior [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this mini‐review article, we present the recent progress of utilizing three types of infrared (IR) spectroscopic tools to investigate the chemistry of Criegee intermediates (CIs). The first part of this article described a recent work of Wang et al., which utilized rapid‐scan FTIR to detect CIs created from ozonolysis. The second part of this article describes the advantages of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) used as novel IR spectroscopic tools to probe CIs and the key concepts of experimental implementations. We also summarize the works of Chang and co‐workers, which utilized distributed feedback QCLs with thermal chirping to detect the simplest CI, CH2OO, and the subsequent kinetics measurements, such as reactions of CH2OO with ozone, CH3SH, and dimethyl sulfoxide. In the last part of this article, we described the key ideas of external‐cavity QCLs coupled with off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy, which was proposed by Chung et al., and also the latest progress on determination of the band strength of CH2OO and its rate coefficient with O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) is a fundamental part of the global monsoon system that affects nearly one-quarter of the world's population. Robust paleoclimate reconstructions in East Asia are complicated by multiple sources of precipitation. These sources, such as the EAWM and typhoons, need to be disentangled in order to understand the dominant source of precipitation influencing the past and current climate. Taiwan, situated within the subtropical East Asian monsoon system, provides a unique opportunity to study monsoon and typhoon variability through time. Here we combine sediment trap data with down-core records from Cueifong Lake in northeastern Taiwan to reconstruct monsoonal rainfall fluctuations over the past 3000 years. The monthly collected grain-size data indicate that a decrease in sediment grain size reflects the strength of the EAWM. End member modelling analysis (EMMA) on sediment core and trap data reveals two dominant grain-size end-members (EMs), with the coarse EM 2 representing a robust indicator of EAWM strength. The downcore variations of EM 2 show a gradual decrease over the past 3000 years indicating a gradual strengthening of the EAWM, in agreement with other published EAWM records. This enhanced late-Holocene EAWM can be linked to the expansion of sea-ice cover in the western Arctic Ocean caused by decreased summer insolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the physicochemical properties and heterogeneous processes of aerosols is key not only to elucidate the impacts of aerosols on the atmosphere and humans but also to exploit their further applications, especially for a healthier environment. Experiments that allow for spatially control of single aerosol particles and investigations on the fundamental properties and heterogeneous chemistry at the single‐particle level have flourished during the last few decades, and significant breakthroughs in recent years promise better control and novel applications aimed at resolving key issues in aerosol science. Here we propose graphene oxide (GO) aerosols as prototype aerosols containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and GO can behave as two‐dimensional surfactants which could modify the interfacial properties of aerosols. We describe the techniques of trapping single particles and furthermore the current status of the optical spectroscopy and chemistry of GO. The current applications of these single‐particle trapping techniques are summarized and interesting future applications of GO aerosols are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneous oxidation reaction of single aqueous ascorbic acid (AH2) aerosol particles with gas-phase ozone was investigated in this study utilizing aerosol optical tweezers with Raman spectroscopy. The measured liquid-phase bimolecular rate coefficients of the AH2 + O3 reaction exhibit a significant pH dependence, and the corresponding values at ionic strength 0.2 M are (3.1 ± 2.0) × 105 M−1 s−1 and (1.2 ± 0.6) × 107 M−1 s−1 for pH ≈ 2 and 6, respectively. These results measured in micron-sized droplets are in agreement with those from previous bulk measurements, indicating that the observed aerosol reaction kinetics can be solely explained by liquid phase diffusion and AH2 + O3 reaction. Furthermore, the results indicate that high ionic strengths could enhance the liquid-phase rate coefficients of the AH2 + O3 reaction. The results also exhibit a negative ozone pressure dependence that can be rationalized in terms of a Langmuir–Hinshelwood type mechanism for the heterogeneous oxidation of AH2 aerosol particles by gas-phase ozone. The results of the present work imply that in acidified airway-lining fluids the antioxidant ability of AH2 against atmospheric ozone will be significantly suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic halogen elimination from halogen-related compounds plays a vital role in the depletion of the ozone layer and is well investigated. However, the probabilities for elimination of molecular halogens and hydrogen halides are rarely scrutinised. We develop distinct method for the investigation of each kind of fragment. Velocity-mapping ion-imaging was employed to study the atomic halogen elimination from alkyl halides and aryl halides, focusing on the fractions of the translational energy release, the quantum yields of the atomic fragments, transition probability for curve crossing, competitive halogen-related bond fission, and anisotropy parameters to understand their dynamical complexity. Cavity ring-down absorption spectroscopy was implemented to investigate the molecular halogen fragments dissociated from the aliphatic halides and acyl halides for their optical spectra, vibrational branches, quantum yields, and the dissociation mechanisms. Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy was employed to confine the primary products of hydrogen halide elimination from acyl halides in the presence of Ar gas. It is, for the first time, to overview these existing small halogen-related fragments eliminated from halogen-containing compounds. The detailed characterisation of these fragments should unveil complicated halogen-related dissociation mechanisms which may supplement the current knowledge and help with the photochemical assessment of halogen-related environmental issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal variation of sulfur and metals in core sediments off Kueishantao Islet, a hydrothermal vent site at northeastern Taiwan, was explored to elucidate the changes in submarine hydrothermal emanation over a centennial time scale. The discharge of acidic fluids containing abundant sulfides and dissolved metals results in different concentrations of sulfur and metal accumulating in deposited sediments. In addition to particle size and organic carbon affecting metal contents, the content of total sulfur (TS), which is regarded as an indicator of hydrothermalism, correlates positively and strongly with Fe and other metals; however, it correlates negatively with another index of hydrothermalism, the Al/(Al+Fe+Mn) ratio. The TS content in Core Ks2, the core closest to the vents, increased during 1950–1956, 1968–1970, 1982–1987, 1990–1992, and 2004–2005, but decreased during 1967–1968, 1988–1990, and 1994–1995. The chronological changes in the TS concentration of Cores Ks3 and S2 were very similar to those of Core Ks2 within the aforementioned time spans. The numerous large earthquakes (ML > 5) and typhoons that affect northeastern Taiwan appear to influence hydrothermal emanation and determine the temporal variation of sulfur and metals in sediment cores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]