Search

Organic aerosol (OA) still remains one of the most difficult components of the atmospheric aerosols to simulate, given the multitude of its precursors, the uncertainty in its formation pathways, and the lack of measurements of its detailed composition. The LANDEX (LANDes Experiment) project, during its intensive field campaign in summer 2017, gives us the opportunity to compare biogenic secondary OA (BSOA) and its precursors and oxidants obtained within and above the Landes forest canopy to simulations performed with CHIMERE, a state-of-the-art regional chemistry transport model. The Landes forest is situated in the southwestern part of France and is one of the largest anthropized forests in Europe (1×106 ha). The majority of the forest is comprised of maritime pine trees, which are strong terpenoid emitters, providing a large potential for BSOA formation. In order to simulate OA buildup in this area, a specific model configuration setup adapted to the local peculiarities was necessary. As the forest is nonhomogeneous, with interstitial agricultural fields, high-resolution 1 km simulations over the forest area were performed. Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions were predicted by MEGAN, but specific land cover information needed to be used and was thus chosen from the comparison of several high-resolution land cover databases. Moreover, the tree species distribution needed to be updated for the specific conditions of the Landes forest. In order to understand the canopy effect in the forest, canopy effects on vertical diffusivity, winds, and radiation were implemented in the model in a simplified way. The refined simulations show a redistribution of BVOCs with a decrease in isoprene and an increase in terpenoid emissions with respect to the standard case, both of which are in line with observations. Corresponding changes to simulated BSOA sources are tracked. Very low nighttime ozone, sometimes near zero, remains overestimated in all simulations. This has implications for the nighttime oxidant budget, including NO3. Despite careful treatment of physical conditions, simulated BSOA is overestimated in the most refined simulation. Simulations are also compared to air quality sites surrounding the Landes forest, reporting a more realistic simulation in these stations in the most refined test case. Finally, the importance of the sea breeze system, which also impacts species concentrations inside the forest, is made evident.

Trace gas measurements were performed during the LANDEX (the LANDes EXperiment) Episode 1 field campaign in the summer 2017, in one of the largest European maritime pine forests (> 95% Pinus pinaster) located in southwestern France. Efforts have been focused on obtaining a good speciation of 20 major biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs, including pinenes, carenes, terpinenes, linalool, camphene, etc.). This was made possible by the development of a new and specific chromatographic method. In order to assess the role of BVOCs in the local gas phase chemistry budget, their reactivity with the main atmospheric oxidants (hydroxyl radicals (OH), ozone (O3) and nitrate radicals (NO3)) and the corresponding consumption rates were determined. When considering the OH reactivity with BVOCs, isoprene and linalool accounted for 10-47% of the OH depletion during daytime, and monoterpenes for 50-65%, whereas monoterpenes were the main contributors during the night (70-85%). Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes were the main contributors to the ozone reactivity, especially β-caryophyllene (30-70%), with a maximum contribution during nighttime. Nighttime nitrate reactivity was predominantly due to monoterpenes (i.e. 90-95%). Five specific groups have been proposed to classify the 19 BVOCs measured in the forest, according to their reactivity with atmospheric oxidants and their concentrations. The total amount of BVOCs consumed under and above the forest canopy was evaluated for 7 BVOCs (i.e. isoprene, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, limonene + cis-ocimene and Δ3-carene). The reactivity of atmospheric oxidants and BVOCs at a local level are discussed in order to highlight the compounds (BVOCs, other VOCs), the atmospheric oxidants and the main associated reactive processes observed under the canopy of a maritime pine forest.

Atmospheric organic vapors play essential roles in the formation of secondary organic aerosol. Source identification of these vapors is thus fundamental to understand their emission sources and chemical evolution in the atmosphere and their further impact on air quality and climate change. In this study, a Vocus proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF) was deployed in two forested environments, the Landes forest in southern France and the boreal forest in southern Finland, to measure atmospheric organic vapors, including both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their oxidation products. For the first time, we performed binned positive matrix factorization (binPMF) analysis on the complex mass spectra acquired with the Vocus PTR-TOF and identified various emission sources as well as oxidation processes in the atmosphere. Based on separate analysis of low- and high-mass ranges, fifteen PMF factors in the Landes forest and nine PMF factors in the Finnish boreal forest were resolved, showing a high similarity between the two sites. Factors representing monoterpenes dominate the biogenic VOCs in both forests, with less contributions from the isoprene factors and sesquiterpene factors. Particularly, various terpene reaction products were separated into individual PMF factors with varying oxidation degrees, such as lightly oxidized compounds from both monoterpene and sesquiterpene oxidations, monoterpene-derived organic nitrates, and monoterpene more oxidized compounds. These factors display similar mass profiles and diurnal variations between the two sites, revealing similar terpene reaction pathways in these forests. With the distinct characteristics of VOCs and oxygenated VOCs measured by the Vocus PTR-TOF, this study identified various primary emission sources and secondary oxidation processes of atmospheric organic vapors in the European pine forests, providing a more comprehensive understanding of gas-phase atmospheric chemistry.

International audience; The present work is an extensive laboratory study of organosulfate (OS) formation from the reaction of α-pinene oxidation products or proxies with acidified ammonium sulfate aerosols in three different acidity conditions (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ 0.06 M; (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$/H$_2$SO$_4$ 0.06 M/0.005 M; (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$/H$_2$SO$_4$ 0.03 M/0.05 M). The kinetics of the reactions of $\alpha$-pinene, $\alpha$-pinene oxide, isopinocampheol, pinanediol, and myrtenal with ammonium sulfate particles were studied using a quasi-static reactor. The reaction of $\alpha$-pinene oxide with the highly acidic ammonium sulfate particles was determined to be 7, 10, 21, and 24 times faster than for isopinocampheol, $\alpha$-pinene, pinanedial, and myrtenal, respectively, for an OS precursor concentration of 1 ppm and after 1 h reaction time. The effective rate coefficients for OS formation from $\alpha$-pinene oxide were determined to be 2 orders of magnitude higher in highly acidic conditions than for the two other acidity conditions. For $\alpha$-pinene oxide reactions with highly acidic ammonium sulfate particles, OS formation was observed to increase linearly with (i) the time of reaction up to 400 min ($r^2$= > 0.95) and (ii) α-pinene oxide gas-phase concentration. However, OS formation from $\alpha$-pinene oxide reactions with slightly acidic or pure ammonium sulfate particles was limited, with a plateau ([OS]max = 0.62 ± 0.03 $\mu$g) reached after around 15–20 min. Organosulfate dimers (m/z 401 and m/z 481) were detected not only with highly acidic particles but also with slightly acidic and pure ammonium sulfate particles, indicating that oligomerization processes do not require strong acidity conditions. Dehydration products of organosulfates ($m/z$ 231 and $m/z$ 383) were observed only under highly acidic conditions, indicating the key role of H$_2$SO$_4$ on the dehydration of organosulfates and the formation of olefins in the atmosphere. Finally, this kinetic study was completed with simulation chamber experiments in which the mass concentration of organosulfates was shown to depend on the available sulfate amount present in the particle phase ($r^2$ = 0.96). In conclusion, this relative comparison between five organosulfate precursors shows that epoxide was the most efficient reactant to form organosulfates via heterogeneous gas–particle reactions and illustrates how gas–particle reactions may play an important role in OS formation and hence in the atmospheric fate of organic carbon. The kinetic data presented in this work provide strong support to organosulfate formation mechanisms proposed in part 1 ( J. Phys. Chem. A 2016, 120, 7909−7923).

International audience; Total individual concentrations (in both gaseous and particulate phases) of 80 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) including 32 nitro-PAHs, 27 oxy-PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and 21 parent PAHs have been investigated over a year in the ambient air of Grenoble (France) together with an extended aerosol chemical characterization. The results indicated that their concentrations were strongly affected by primary emissions in cold period, especially from residential heating (i.e. biomass burning). Besides, secondary processes occurred in summer but also in cold period under specific conditions such as during long thermal inversion layer periods and severe PM pollution events. Different secondary processes were involved during both PM pollution events observed in March–April and in December 2013. During the first one, long range transport of air masses, nitrate chemistry and secondary nitro-PAH formation seemed linked. During the second one, the accumulation of primary pollutants over several consecutive days enhanced secondary chemical processes notably highlighted by the dramatic increase of oxy-PAH concentrations. The study of the time trends of ratios of individual nitro- or oxy-PAHs to parent PAHs, in combination with key primary or secondary aerosol species and literature data, allowed the identification of potential molecular markers of PAH oxidation. Finally, 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one, biphenyl-2,2’-dicarboxaldehyde and 3-nitrophenanthrene have been selected to be the best candidates as markers of PAH oxidation processes in ambient air.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are recognized as important secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors in the urban atmosphere. In this work, the gas-phase ozonolysis of acenaphthylene was investigated in an atmospheric simulation chamber using a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) and an aerosol time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) for on-line characterization of the oxidation products in the gas and particle phases, respectively. SOA samples were also collected on filters and analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS) and gas chromatography/electron impact ionization-mass spectrometry (GC/EI-MS). The major gas-phase products included a range of oxygenated naphthalene derivatives such as 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, naphthalene 1,8-dicarbaldehyde and naphthaldehyde, as well as a secondary ozonide. Possible reaction mechanisms are proposed for the formation of these products and favoured pathways have been suggested. Many of these products were also found in the particle phase along with a range of oligomeric compounds. The same range of gas and particle phase products was observed in the presence and absence of excess cyclohexane, an OH scavenger, indicating that OH radical production from the ozonolysis of acenaphthylene is negligible. SOA yields in the range 23–37% were determined and indicate that acenaphthylene ozonolysis may contribute to part of the SOA observed in urban areas.

A new online gas chromatographic method dedicated to Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) analysis was developed for the measurement of a 20 BVOC gaseous mixture (isoprene, β-pinene, α-pinene, limonene, trans-β-ocimene, myrcene, sabinene, Δ3-carene, camphene, 1,8 cineole, terpinolene, linalool, α-phellandrene, nopinone, citral, α-terpinene, β-caryophhyllene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and 2-carene) at a time resolution of 90 minutes. The optimized method includes an online Peltier-cooled thermodesorption system sample trap made of Carbopack B coupled to a gas chromatographic system equipped with a 60 m, 0.25 mm i.d. BPX5 column. Eluent was analysed using a flame ionization detection (FID). Potassium iodide was identified as the best ozone scrubber for the 20 BVOC mixture. In order to obtain an accurate quantification of BVOC concentrations, the development of a reliable standard mixture was also required. Quantification of BVOCs was reported with a detection limit ranging from 4 ppt for α-pinene to 19 ppt for sabinene. The main source of uncertainty was the calibration step, stressing the need of certified gaseous standards for a wider panel of BVOCs. This new method was applied for the first time to measure BVOCs in a pine forest during the LANDEX-episode-1 field campaign (summer 2017). All targeted BVOCs were detected at least once along the campaign. The two major monoterpenes observed were β-pinene and α-pinene, representing on average 60 % of the measured terpenoïds, while isoprene represented only 17 %. Uncertainties determined were always below 13 % for the six major terpenes. Uncertainties may be larger for the other compounds especially for those presenting a mixing ratio close to the detection limit.

Total OH reactivity measurements were conducted during the LANDEX intensive field campaign in a coniferous temperate forest located in the Landes area, south-western France, during July 2017. In order to investigate inter-canopy and intra-canopy variability, measurements were performed inside (6 m) and above the canopy level (12 m), as well as at two different locations within the canopy, using a Comparative Reactivity Method (CRM) and a Laser Photolysis-Laser Induced Fluorescence (LP-LIF) instrument. The two techniques were intercompared at the end of the campaign by performing measurements at the same location. Volatile organic compounds were also monitored at both levels with a proton transfer-time of flight mass spectrometer and online gas Chromatography instruments to evaluate their contribution to total OH reactivity, with monoterpenes being the main reactive species emitted in this Pinus pinaster Aiton dominated forest. Total OH reactivity varied diurnally, following the trend of BVOCs of which emissions and concentrations were dependent on meteorological parameters. Highest levels of total OH reactivity were observed during nights with a low turbulence (u* ≤ 0.2 m/s) leading to lower mixing of emitted species within the canopy and thus an important vertical stratification, characterized by a strong concentration gradient. By comparing the calculated OH reactivity from contributions of individually measured compounds to the measured OH reactivity, a discrepancy was seen at both heights mainly related to ambient temperature during day-time. It highlights that missing OH sinks could be due to temperature-dependent missing primary emissions or secondary products linked to a temperature-enhanced photochemistry. During night-time hours, atmospheric stability and relative humidity played a key role in the missing reactivity. Lower turbulence showed to be favourable for night-time chemistry, inducing a higher missing OH reactivity. Humid surfaces may have represented an additional sink for oxygenated compounds, escaping de facto total OH reactivity, and leading to lower or no missing OH reactivity.

International audience; he present study proposes an advanced methodology to refine the source apportionment of organic aerosol (OA). This methodology is based on the combination of offline and online datasets in a single Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis using the multilinear engine (ME-2) algorithm and a customized time synchronization procedure. It has been applied to data from measurements conducted in the Paris region (France) during a PM pollution event in March 2015. Measurements included OA ACSM (Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor) mass spectra and specific primary and secondary organic molecular markers from PM10 filters on their original time resolution (30 min for ACSM and 4 h for PM10 filters). Comparison with the conventional PMF analysis of the ACSM OA dataset (PMF-ACSM) showed very good agreement for the discrimination between primary and secondary OA fractions with about 75% of the OA mass of secondary origin. Furthermore, the use of the combined datasets allowed the deconvolution of 3 primary OA (POA) factors and 7 secondary OA (SOA) factors. A clear identification of the source/origin of 54% of the total SOA mass could be achieved thanks to specific molecular markers. Specifically, 28% of that fraction was linked to combustion sources (biomass burning and traffic emissions). A clear identification of primary traffic OA was also obtained using the PMF-combined analysis while PMF-ACSM only gave a proxy for this OA source in the form of total hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA) mass concentrations. In addition, the primary biomass burning-related OA source was explained by two OA factors, BBOA and OPOA-like BBOA. This new approach has showed undeniable advantages over the conventional approaches by providing valuable insights into the processes involved in SOA formation and their sources. However, the origins of highly oxidized SOA could not be fully identified due to the lack of specific molecular markers for such aged SOA.

International audience; The influence of the precursor chemical structure on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation was investigated through the study of the ozonolysis of two anthropogenic aromatic alkenes: 2-methylstyrene and indene. Experiments were carried out in three different simulation chambers: ICARE 7300L FEP Teflon chamber (ICARE, Orléans, France), EUPHORE FEP Teflon chamber (CEAM, Valencia, Spain), and CESAM evacuable stainless steel chamber (LISA, Créteil, France). For both precursors, SOA yield and growth were studied on a large range of initial concentrations (from ∼60 ppbv to 1.9 ppmv) and the chemical composition of both gaseous and particulate phases was investigated at a molecular level. Gas phase was described using FTIR spectroscopy and online gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and particulate chemical composition was analyzed (i) online by thermo-desorption coupled to chemical ionization mass spectrometry and (ii) offline by supercritical fluid extraction coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results obtained from a large set of experiments performed in three different chambers and using several complementary analytical techniques were in very good agreement. SOA yield was up to 10 times higher for indene ozonolysis than for 2-methylstyrene ozonolysis at the same reaction advancement. For 2-methylstyrene ozonolysis, formaldehyde and o-tolualdehyde were the two main gaseous phase products while o-toluic acid was the most abundant among six products detected within the particulate phase. For indene ozonolysis, traces of formic and phthalic acids as well as 11 species were detected in the gaseous phase and 11 other products were quantified in the particulate phase, where phthaldialdehyde was the main product. On the basis of the identified products, reaction mechanisms were proposed that highlight specific pathways due to the precursor chemical structure. These mechanisms were finally compared and discussed regarding SOA formation. In the case of 2-methylstyrene ozonolysis, ozone adds mainly on the external and monosubstituted double bond, yielding only one C8- and monofunctionalized Criegee intermediate and hence more volatile products as well as lower SOA mass than indene ozonolysis in similar experimental conditions. In the case of indene, ozone adds mainly on the five-carbon-ring and disubstituted C═C double bond, leading to the formation of two C9- and bifunctionalized Criegee intermediates, which then evolve via different pathways including the hydroperoxide channel and form highly condensable first-generation products.

International audience; During two growing seasons of a maritime pine stand, in 2014 and 2015, ozone (O-3) fluxes have been determined using the eddy covariance (EC) method and compared to the outputs of a big-leaf O-3 deposition model including stomatal, cuticular and soil pathways. The model developed in this study generally allowed to properly reproduce the measured ozone deposition. Ozone fluxes showed a strong reduction during two water stressed periods in September 2014 and July 2015. The model partly explain this fall due to the reduction of stomatal deposition. Despite this stomatal closure, measured O-3 fluxes presented systematically lower negative values than the model outputs, and sometimes even positive values around midday during periods marked by strong water stress. In other words, the difference between observed and modelled O-3 fluxes (hereinafter referred to as the residual O-3 flux) is systematically positive on daytime during these water-stressed periods. This positive residual flux traduced the existence of an O-3 source below the flux measurement level, responsible for positive fluxes that counterbalance deposition fluxes. We developed an O-3 production module based on a terpene emission algorithm and an OH concentration proxy, to try to explain the observed ozone production. As this parametrisation allowed us to reproduce well the daily and inter-daily dynamics of the residual O-3 flux, it confirms that the latter actually resulted from O-3 production processes. This ozone production is here highlighted for the first time using O-3 fluxes measurements by the EC method. The chemical reactions possibly involved in O-3 production processes in this maritime pine forest have been discussed and different mechanisms are proposed, based on peroxy radicals chemistry or stress-induced BVOCs.

The chlorine atom (Cl)-initiated oxidation of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; namely, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, and acenaphthene) was investigated. Experiments were performed in an atmospheric simulation chamber using a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) and an aerosol TOF-MS to characterize the oxidation products in the gas and particle phases, respectively. The major products identified from the reaction of Cl atoms with naphthalene were phthalic anhydride and chloronaphthalene, indicating that H atom abstraction and Cl addition reaction pathways are both important. Acenaphthenone was the principal product arising from reaction of Cl with acenaphthene, while 1,8-naphthalic anhydride, acenaphthenone, acenaphthenequinone, and chloroacenaphthenone were all identified as products of acenaphthylene oxidation, confirming that the cylcopenta-fused ring controls the reactivity of these PAHs toward Cl atoms. Possible reaction mechanisms are proposed for the formation of these products, and favored pathways have been suggested. Large yields of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) were also observed in all experiments, and the major products were found to undergo significant partitioning to the particle-phase. This work suggests that Cl-initiated oxidation could play an important role in SOA formation from PAHs under specific atmospheric conditions where the Cl atom concentration is high, such as the marine boundary layer.

International audience; Atmospheric particles play a major role in both air quality and climate change. Formation of secondary particles in the atmosphere has been observed over many different environments and is believed to provide up to half of the atmospheric cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at a global scale. However, high uncertainties are still remaining in the description of mechanisms involved in new particle formation (NPF). Especially, more evidences of the implication of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in NPF from field studies are still needed. To investigate this question, two field campaigns have been set up during July 2014 and July 2015, in the French Landes forest (south west of France). Summer 2015 was characterized by a strong hydric stress, whereas summer 2014 was rainy. In 2015, frequent nocturnal NPF was observed, reaching a frequency of occurrence of similar to 55% of the nights, while only one event was observed in 2014. In July 2015, monoterpene mixing ratios (dominated by alpha- and beta-pinene) were higher, mostly due to high ambient temperatures and drought. A focus was made on the 2015 field campaign, where NPF was mostly observed. The mean diurnal variation of the ratio between alpha- and beta-pinene mixing ratios highlighted in-canopy reactivity of monoterpenes with ozone in the early night. This hypothesis was reinforced by the increasing gas phase levels of pinonaldehyde and nopinone, the main first-generation products arising from alpha- and beta-pinene ozonolysis, at night, before NPF started. It strongly suggests that monoterpene oxidation further generated very-low volatility gases involved in NPF. This finding is also supported by the high concentrations of the SOA traditional biogenic tracers, e.g. pinic and pinonic acids, quantified in the particulate phase. The role of BVOCs in NPF is thus highlighted, as well as the importance of nighttime NPF.

International audience; PM10 source apportionment was performed by positive matrix factorization (PMF) using specific primary and secondary organic molecular markers on samples collected over a one year period (2013) at an urban station in Grenoble (France). The results provided a 9-factor optimum solution, including sources rarely apportioned in the literature, such as two types of primary biogenic organic aerosols (fungal spores and plant debris), as well as specific biogenic and anthropogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOA). These sources were identified thanks to the use of key organic markers, namely, polyols, odd number higher alkanes, and several SOA markers related to the oxidation of isoprene, α-pinene, toluene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Primary and secondary biogenic contributions together accounted for at least 68% of the total organic carbon (OC) in the summer, while anthropogenic primary and secondary sources represented at least 71% of OC during wintertime. A very significant contribution of anthropogenic SOA was estimated in the winter during an intense PM pollution event (PM10 > 50 μg m− 3 for several days; 18% of PM10 and 42% of OC). Specific meteorological conditions with a stagnation of pollutants over 10 days and possibly Fenton-like chemistry and self-amplification cycle of SOA formation could explain such high anthropogenic SOA concentrations during this period. Finally, PMF outputs were also used to investigate the origins of humic-like substances (HuLiS), which represented 16% of OC on an annual average basis. The results indicated that HuLiS were mainly associated with biomass burning (22%), secondary inorganic (22%), mineral dust (15%) and biogenic SOA (14%) factors. This study is probably the first to state that HuLiS are significantly associated with mineral dust.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is known to account for a major fraction of airborne particulate matter, with significant impacts on air quality and climate at the global scale. Despite the substantial amount of research studies achieved during these last decades, the source apportionment of the SOA fraction remains difficult due to the complexity of the physicochemical processes involved. The selection and use of appropriate approaches are a major challenge for the atmospheric science community. Several methodologies are nowadays available to perform quantitative and/or predictive assessments of the SOA amount and composition. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the most commonly used approaches to evaluate secondary organic carbon (SOC) contents: elemental carbon (EC) tracer method, chemical mass balance (CMB), SOA tracer method, radiocarbon (14C) measurement and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The principles, limitations, challenges and good practices of each of these methodologies are discussed in the present article. Based on a comprehensive—although not exhaustive—review of research papers published during the last decade (2006⁻2016), SOC estimates obtained using these methodologies are also summarized for different regions across the world. Conclusions of some studies which are directly comparing the performances of different methodologies are then specifically discussed. An overall picture of SOC contributions and concentrations obtained worldwide for urban sites under similar conditions (i.e., geographical and seasonal ones) is also proposed here. Finally, further needs to improve SOC apportionment methodologies are also identified and discussed.

International audience; The present study aimed at performing PM10 source apportionment, using positive matrix factorization (PMF), based on filter samples collected every 4 h at a sub-urban station in the Paris region (France) during a PM pollution event in March 2015 (PM10 > 50 μg m−3 for several consecutive days). The PMF model allowed to deconvolve 11 source factors. The use of specific primary and secondary organic molecular markers favoured the determination of common sources such as biomass burning and primary traffic emissions, as well as 2 specific biogenic SOA (marine + isoprene) and 3 anthropogenic SOA (nitro-PAHs + oxy-PAHs + phenolic compounds oxidation) factors. This study is probably the first one to report the use of methylnitrocatechol isomers as well as 1-nitropyrene to apportion secondary OA linked to biomass burning emissions and primary traffic emissions, respectively. Secondary organic carbon (SOC) fractions were found to account for 47% of the total OC. The use of organic molecular markers allowed the identification of 41% of the total SOC composed of anthropogenic SOA (namely, oxy-PAHs, nitro-PAHs and phenolic compounds oxidation, representing 15%, 9%, 11% of the total OC, respectively) and biogenic SOA (marine + isoprene) (6% in total). Results obtained also showed that 35% of the total SOC originated from anthropogenic sources and especially PAH SOA (oxy-PAHs + nitro-PAHs), accounting for 24% of the total SOC, highlighting its significant contribution in urban influenced environments. Anthropogenic SOA related to nitro-PAHs and phenolic compounds exhibited a clear diurnal pattern with high concentrations during the night indicating the prominent role of night-time chemistry but with different chemical processes involved.

International audience; This work is focused on the gas-phase oxidation of acenaphthylene and acenaphthene by OH radicals and associated secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation under low and high-NOx conditions. Experiments were carried out in an atmospheric simulation chamber using a proton transfer reaction time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) and an aerosol time-of-flight-mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) to chemically characterize the gas- and particle-phase products, respectively. Due to the structures of these two aromatic compounds, the proposed chemical mechanisms exhibit some differences. In the case of acenaphthene, H-atom abstraction from the saturated cyclopenta-fused ring was found to be competitive with the OH-addition to the aromatic rings. During the photooxidation of acenaphthene using nitrous acid (HONO), aromatic ring-opening products such as indanone and indanone carbaldehyde, generated through OH addition to the aromatic ring, were formed in higher yields compared to low-NOx conditions. In the case of acenaphthylene, OH addition to the unsaturated cyclopenta-fused ring was strongly favored. Hence, ring-retaining species such as acenaphthenone and acenaphthenequinone, were identified as the main reaction products in both gas- and particle-phases, especially under high-NOx conditions. Subsequent SOA formation was observed in all experiments and SOA yields were determined under low/high-NOx conditions to be 0.61/0.46 and 0.68/0.55 from the OH-initiated oxidation of acenaphthylene and acenaphthene, respectively.

In the present study, quasi-static reactor and atmospheric simulation chamber experiments were performed to investigate the formation of α-pinene-derived organosulfates. Organosulfates (R–OSO3H) were examined for the reactions between acidified ammonium sulfate particles exposed to an individual gaseous volatile organic compound, such as α-pinene and oxidized products (α-pinene oxide, isopinocampheol, pinanediol and myrtenal). Molecular structures were elucidated by liquid chromatography interfaced to high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization (LC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS). New organosulfate products were detected and identified for the first time in the present study. Reaction with α-pinene oxide was found to be a favored pathway for organosulfate formation (C10H18O5S) and to yield organosulfate dimers (C20H34O6S and C20H34O9S2) and trimers (C30H50O10S2) under dry conditions (RH < 1%) and high particle acidity and precursor concentrations (1 ppm). The role of r...

International audience; 21 PAHs, 27 oxy-PAHs and 32 nitro-PAHs were measured every third day over a year in both gaseous (G) and particulate PM10 (P) phases in ambient air of Grenoble (France). Mean total concentrations (G + P) of PAHs and oxy-PAHs were in the same range and about 10 ng m− 3. Nitro-PAHs were 50 to 100 times less concentrated averaging 100 pg m− 3. Polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) concentrations were 5 to 7 times higher in “cold” period (October to March) than in “warm” period (April to September). Seasonal variations may be explained by higher primary emissions from residential heating, especially biomass burning in “cold” season. Meteorological conditions and influence of the geomorphology around Grenoble, with the formation of thermal inversion layers leading to the stagnation of pollutants, were additional key parameters. Maximum individual PAC concentrations were observed during two PM10 pollution events in December and February–March. Chemical processes and secondary formation of oxy- and nitro-PAH were probably enhanced by the accumulation of the pollutants during these events. PAC gas/particle partitioning depended on compound molecular weight and vapour pressure. Gas/particle partitioning of oxy- and nitro-PAHs were evaluated using a multi-phase poly-parameter linear free energy relationship model. The PAC cancer risk was assessed using toxic equivalency factors available in the literature (19 PAHs, 10 nitro-PAHs and 1 oxy-PAH). Overall, particle-bound PACs contributed about 76% of the cancer risk. While PAHs accounted for most of the total PAC cancer risk, oxy- and nitro-PAHs could account for up to 24%. The risk quantification across substance classes is limited by toxicological data availability.

Primary products of the reactions of gas-phase ozone with anthracene and phenanthrene adsorbed on silica model particles have been investigated. Silica was selected as proxy for mineral atmospheric particles. The particles, coated with anthracene or phenanthrene and placed on a filter, were exposed in a reaction cell to a gaseous ozone flow. Ozone concentration was constant ((6.0±0.6)×1013 molecule cm−3) during the experiments. Anthracene, phenanthrene and their ozonation products were then extracted by focused microwave-assisted extraction or fluid pressurized extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Anthraquinone and anthrone on the one hand, and 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxaldehyde on the other hand were identified as the products of anthracene and phenanthrene, respectively and quantified versus time of ozone exposure. This kinetical approach allowed to show that anthraquinone, anthrone and 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxaldehyde are the primary products of the studied reactions, and to determine their formation yields (respectively, 0.42±0.04, 0.056±0.005 and 1.0±0.4).

In this experimental study, rate constants were measured for the reactions of ozone with 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on different types of particles. Graphite and silica were chosen to model, respectively, carbonaceous and mineral atmospheric particles. The pseudo-first order rate constants were obtained from the fit of the experimental decay of particulate PAH concentrations versus time. Second order rate constants were calculated considering the ozone gaseous concentration. At room temperature, rate constants varied, in the case of graphite particles, between (1.5 ± 0.5) × 10−17 and (1.3 ± 0.7) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for chrysene and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, respectively, and, in the case of silica particles, between (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10−17 and (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively. Different granulometric parameters (particle size, pore size) and different PAH concentrations were tested in the case of silica particles. Heterogeneous reactions of ozone with particulate PAHs are shown to be more rapid than those occurring in the gas-phase, and may be competitive with atmospheric photodegradation.

A new one-step method for the analysis of highly polar components of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) has been developed. This method should lead to a better understanding of SOA formation and evolution since it enables the compounds responsible for SOA formation to be identified. Since it is based on supercritical fluid extraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, it minimizes the analysis time and significantly enhances sensitivity, which makes it suitable for trace-level compounds, which are constituents of SOA. One of the key features of this method is the in situ derivatisation step: an online silylation allowing the measurement of highly polar, polyfunctional compounds, which is a prerequisite for the elucidation of chemical mechanisms. This paper presents the development of this analytical method and highlights its ability to address this major atmospheric issue through the analysis of SOA formed from the ozonolysis of a biogenic hydrocarbon (sabinene). Ozonolysis of sabinene was performed in a 6 m3 Teflon chamber. The aerosol components were derivatised in situ. More than thirty products, such as sabinaketone, sabinic acid and other multifunctional compounds including dicarboxylic acids and oxoacids, were measured. Nine of them were identified and quantified. The sensitivity and the linearity (0.91 < R < 0.98) of the method were both good and detection limits ranged from 1.2 to 6.4 ng for the investigated compounds.

The gas/particle partitioning behaviour of the semi-volatile fraction of secondary organic matter and the associated multiphase chemistry are key features to accurately evaluate climate and health impacts of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). However, today, the partitioning of oxygenated secondary species is rarely assessed in experimental SOA studies and SOA modelling is still largely based on estimated partitioning data. This paper describes a new analytical approach, solvent-free and easy to use, to explore the chemical composition of the secondary organic matter at a molecular scale in both gas and particulate phases. The method is based on thermal desorption (TD) of gas and particulate samples, coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS), with derivatisation on sampling supports. Gaseous compounds were trapped on Tenax TA adsorbent tubes pre-coated with pentafluorobenzylhydroxylamine (PFBHA) or N-Methyl-N-(t-butyldimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). Particulate samples were collected onto quartz or Teflon-quartz filters and subsequently subjected to derivatisation with PFBHA or MTBSTFA before TD-GC/MS analysis. Method development and validation are presented for an atmospherically relevant range of organic acids and carbonyl and hydroxyl compounds. Application of the method to a limonene ozonolysis experiment conducted in the EUPHORE simulation chamber under simulated atmospheric conditions of low concentrations of limonene precursor and relative humidity, provides an overview of the method capabilities. Twenty-five compounds were positively or tentatively identified, nine being in both gaseous and particulate phases; and twelve, among them tricarboxylic acids, hydroxyl dicarboxylic acids and oxodicarboxylic acids, being detected for the first time.

Environmental contextAmbient fine aerosol from forested sites contains secondary organic aerosol from the oxidation of monoterpenes that are emitted by the vegetation, mainly by conifers. These biogenic aerosols can have varying lifetimes in the atmosphere because they contain first-generation oxidation products of α-pinene as well as aged products formed through further photooxidation, fragmentation, hydrolysis, and dimerisation reactions. We focus on the structural characterisation of secondary organic aerosol products that are simulated in a smog chamber experiment and can serve as potential tracers for aging processes in biogenic aerosols. AbstractSecondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the oxidation of α-pinene is a very complex and dynamic mixture containing products with a different chemical nature and physicochemical properties that are dependent on chemical evolution or aging processes. In this study, we focus on the chemical characterisation of major products that are formed upon α-pinene ozonolysis SOA and subsequent aging through OH-initiated reactions in the absence of NOx, which include known as well as unknown tracers. The mass spectrometric data obtained for selected unknown compounds that show an increased relative abundance upon aging are interpreted in detail and tentative structures for them are proposed taking into account their formation through photooxidation of α-pinene. Known tracers for α-pinene SOA aging that were identified include norpinic acid, 10-hydroxypinonic acid, diaterpenylic acid acetate, and diesters formed by esterification of pinic acid with terpenylic acid or 10-hydroxypinonic acid. Novel tracers for α-pinene SOA aging that were tentatively identified include dinorpinic acid and 8-hydroxypinonic acid. In addition, reaction mechanisms are proposed to explain the formation of the observed α-pinene SOA tracers.

A single particle instrument was developed for real-time analysis of organic aerosol. This instrument, named Single Particle Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometry (SPLAM), samples particles using an aerodynamic lens system for which the theoretical performances were calculated. At the outlet of this system, particle detection and sizing are realized by using two continuous diode lasers operating at λ Combining double low line 403 nm. Polystyrene Latex (PSL), sodium chloride (NaCl) and dioctylphtalate (DOP) particles were used to characterize and calibrate optical detection of SPLAM. The optical detection limit (DL) and detection efficiency (DE) were determined using size-selected DOP particles. The DE ranges from 0.1 to 90% for 100 and 350 nm DOP particles respectively and the SPLAM instrument is able to detect and size-resolve particles as small as 110-120 nm. During optical detection, particle scattered light from the two diode lasers, is detected by two photomultipliers and the detected signals are used to trigger UV excimer laser (λ Combining double low line 248 nm) used for one-step laser desorption ionization (LDI) of individual aerosol particles. The formed ions are analyzed by a 1 m linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer in order to access to the chemical composition of individual particles. The TOF-MS detection limit for gaseous aromatic compounds was determined to be 0.85 × 10−15 kg (∼4 × 103 molecules). DOP particles were also used to test the overall operation of the instrument. The analysis of a secondary organic aerosol, formed in a smog chamber by the ozonolysis of indene, is presented as a first application of the instrument. Single particle mass spectra were obtained with an effective hit rate of 8%. Some of these mass spectra were found to be very different from one particle to another possibly reflecting chemical differences within the investigated indene SOA particles. Our study shows that an exhaustive statistical analysis, over hundreds of particles, and adapted reference mass spectra are further needed to understand the chemical meaning of single particle mass spectra of chemically complex submicrometer-sized organic aerosols. French Ministry of Research Ministry of Environment Ile-De-France Region CNRS EC/EUROCHAMP-1

A new simulation chamber has been built at the Interuniversitary Laboratory of Atmospheric Systems (LISA). The CESAM chamber (French acronym for Experimental Multiphasic Atmospheric Simulation Chamber) is designed to allow research in multiphase atmospheric (photo-) chemistry which involves both gas phase and condensed phase processes including aerosol and cloud chemistry. CESAM has the potential to carry out variable temperature and pressure experiments under a very realistic artificial solar irradiation. It consists of a 4.2 m3 stainless steel vessel equipped with three high pressure xenon arc lamps which provides a controlled and steady environment. Initial characterization results, all carried out at 290–297 K under dry conditions, concerning lighting homogeneity, mixing efficiency, ozone lifetime, radical sources, NOy wall reactivity, particle loss rates, background PM, aerosol formation and cloud generation are given. Photolysis frequencies of NO2 and O3 related to chamber radiation system were found equal to (4.2 × 10−3 s−1) for JNO2 and (1.4 × 10−5 s−1) for JO1D which is comparable to the solar radiation in the boundary layer. An auxiliary mechanism describing NOy wall reactions has been developed. Its inclusion in the Master Chemical Mechanism allowed us to adequately model the results of experiments on the photo-oxidation of propene-NOx-Air mixtures. Aerosol yields for the α-pinene + O3 system chosen as a reference were determined and found in good agreement with previous studies. Particle lifetime in the chamber ranges from 10 h to 4 days depending on particle size distribution which indicates that the chamber can provide high quality data on aerosol aging processes and their effects. Being evacuable, it is possible to generate in this new chamber clouds by fast expansion or saturation with or without the presence of pre-existing particles, which will provide a multiphase environment for aerosol-droplet interaction.

Forest ecosystems affect air quality and climate, especially through the emissions and the reactions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) with the atmospheric oxidants, known to generate Secondary Organic Aerosols (SOAs). This work aims to improve our knowledge on the processes involved in biogenic SOA formation and fate. Two field campaigns have been conducted in the Landes forest. In a first step, the measurement site was characterized by a statistical study of local meteorological conditions. During these campaigns, complementary physical and chemical measurements have been carried out, implying measurements of fluxes and concentrations of particles, BVOCs and oxidants. The results evidenced nocturnal new particle formation, which is an original result as this process was usually only reported during daytime. The strong contribution of BVOCs (dominated by α- and β-pinene) ozonolysis to nocturnal new particle formation has been demonstated. Particle flux measurements suggested that particles are transfered from the canopy to the higher atmospheric surface layer. The comparison between ozone fluxes and a physical ozone deposition model also highlighted an ozone production source. This ozone production might be related to BVOC photooxidation., L’objectif de ce travail de thèse est d’améliorer l’état de nos connaissances sur les processus de formation et du devenir de l’AOS, en lien avec la réactivité des COVB avec les oxydants de l’atmosphère et en particulier l’ozone, en utilisant le potentiel de l’écosystème landais en tant que source d'AOS biogénique. Pour cela, des campagnes de terrain ont été menées sur un site de mesure en forêt landaise, écosystème particulièrement approprié pour l’étude de la formation et du devenir des AOS. Au cours de ces campagnes, différents paramètres physico-chimiques complémentaires ont été mesurés, tels que les concentrations et les flux de particules, d’oxydants et de COVB. Des épisodes nocturnes de formation de nouvelles particules ont été mis en évidence, ce qui constitue un résultat original car les évènements rapportés jusqu’ici dans la littérature étaient principalement diurnes. La contribution importante de l’ozonolyse des monoterpènes émis par les pins maritimes, dominés par l’α- et le β-pinène, à la formation nocturne de nouvelles particules a également été démontrée. Les mesures de flux de particules réalisées suggèrent que les particules formées au cours de la nuit sont transférées depuis la canopée vers les plus hautes couches de l’atmosphère. Une production d’ozone a également été démontrée par la comparaison des mesures de flux d’ozone à un modèle physique de dépôt. Cette source d’ozone pourrait être liée à la photooxidation des COVB