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Atmospheric H2SO4 /H2O nucleation influencing effects have been studied in the flow tube IfT-LFT (Institute for Tropospheric Research - Laminar Flow Tube) at 293±0.5K and a pressure of 1 bar using synthetic air as the carrier gas. The presence of a possible background amine concentration in the order of 107-108 molecule cm throughout the experiments has to be taken into account. In a first set of investigations, ozonolysis of olefins (tetramethylethylene, 1-methyl-cyclohexene, α-pinene and limonene) for close to atmospheric concentrations, served as the source of OH radicals and possibly other oxidants initiating H2SO4 formation starting from SO2. The oxidant generation is inevitably associated with the formation of organic oxidation products arising from the parent olefins. These products (first generation mainly) showed no clear effect on the number of nucleated particles within a wide range of experimental conditions for H2SO4 concentrations higher than ~107 molecule cm-3. Also the early growth process of the nucleated particles was not significantly influenced by the organic oxidation products in line with the expected growth by organic products using literature data. An additional, H2SO4-independent process of particle (nano- CN) formation was observed in the case of α-pinene and limonene ozonolysis for H2SO4 concentrations smaller than ~107 molecule cm-3. Furthermore, the findings confirm the appearance of an additional oxidant for SO2 beside OH radicals, very likely stabilized Criegee Intermediates (sCI). A second set of experiments has been performed in the presence of added amines in the concentrations range of a few 107-1010 molecule cm-3 applying photolytic OH radical generation for H2SO4 production without addition of other organics. All amines showed significant nucleation enhancement with increasing efficiency in the order pyridine < aniline < dimethylamine < trimethylamine. This result supports the idea of H2SO4 cluster stabilization by amines due to strong H2SO4 ↔ amine interactions. On the other hand, this study indicates that for organic oxidation products (in presence of the possible amine background as stated) a distinct H2SO4 /H2O nucleation enhancement can be due to increased H2SO4 formation caused by additional organic oxidant production (sCI) rather than by stabilization of H2SO4 ↔ clusters due to H2SO4 $organics interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic peroxy (RO2) and hydroperoxy (HO2) radicals are key intermediates in the photochemical processes that generate ozone, secondary organic aerosol and reactive nitrogen reservoirs throughout the troposphere. In regions with ample biogenic hydrocarbons, the richness and complexity of peroxy radical chemistry presents a significant challenge to current-generation models, especially given the scarcity of measurements in such environments. We present peroxy radical observations acquired within a Ponderosa pine forest during the summer 2010 Bio-hydro-atmosphere interactions of Energy, Aerosols, Carbon, H2O, Organics and Nitrogen -- Rocky Mountain Organic Carbon Study (BEACHON-ROCS). Total peroxy radical mixing ratios reach as high as 180 pptv and are among the highest yet recorded. Using the comprehensive measurement suite to constrain a near-explicit 0-D box model, we investigate the sources, sinks and distribution of peroxy radicals below the forest canopy. The base chemical mechanism underestimates total peroxy radicals by as much as a factor of 3. Since primary reaction partners for peroxy radicals are either measured (NO) or under-predicted (HO2 and RO2, i.e. self-reaction), missing sources are the most likely explanation for this result. A close comparison of model output with observations reveals at least two distinct source signatures. The first missing source, characterized by a sharp midday maximum and a strong dependence on solar radiation, is consistent with photolytic production of HO2. The diel profile of the second missing source peaks in the afternoon and suggests a process that generates RO2 independently of sun-driven photochemistry, such as ozonolysis of reactive hydrocarbons. The maximum magnitudes of these missing sources (~ 120 and 50 pptv min-1, respectively) are consistent with previous observations alluding to unexpectedly intense oxidation within forests. We conclude that a similar mechanism may underlie many such observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphuric acid is known to be a key component for atmospheric nucleation. Precise determination of sulphuric acid concentration is crucial factor for prediction of nucleation rates and subsequent growth. In our study, we have noticed a substantial discrepancy between sulphuric acid monomer and total sulphate concentrations measured from the same source of sulphuric acid vapour. The discrepancy of about one to two orders of magnitude was found with similar formation rates. The reason for this difference is not yet clear and it can have great impact on predicting atmospheric nucleation rates as well as growth rates. To investigate this discrepancy and its effect on nucleation, a method of thermally controlled saturator filled with pure sulphuric acid (~97%) for production of sulphuric acid vapour is introduced and tested. Sulphuric acid-water nucleation experiment was done using a laminar flow tube. Two independent methods of mass spectrometry and online ion chromatography were used for detecting sulphuric acid concentrations. The results are compared to our previous results, where a method of evaporating weak sulphuric acid-water solution droplets in a furnace was used to produce sulphuric acid vapour (Brus et al., 2010, 2011). Measured sulphuric acid concentrations are compared to theoretical prediction calculated using vapour pressure and simple mixing law. The calculated prediction of sulphuric acid concentrations agrees very well with the measured values when total sulphate is considered. Sulphuric acid monomer concentration was found to be about two orders of magnitude lower than the prediction, but with similar temperature dependency as the prediction and the results obtained with ion chromatograph method. Formation rates agree well when compared to our previous results with both sulphuric acid detection and sulphuric acid production methods separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the intercomparison of hydroxyl (OH) and hydroperoxyl (HO2) measurements performed by three instruments aboard the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) DC-8 aircraft during Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) campaign. The study used laser-induced fluorescence and chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Results show that OH ratio increases with increasing isoprene mixing ratio.

The first ambient measurements using nitrate ion based Chemical Ionization with the Atmospheric Pressure interface Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer (CI-APi-TOF) for sulphuric acid and neutral cluster detection are presented. We have found CI-APi-TOF a highly stable and sensitive tool for molecular sulphuric acid detection. The lowest limit of detection for sulphuric acid was determined to be 3.6×104 molecules cm-3 for 15 min averaging. Signals from sulphuric acid clusters up to tetramer containing ammonia were also obtained but these were found to result from naturally charged clusters formed by ion induced clustering in the atmosphere during nucleation. Opposite to earlier studies with cluster mass spectrometers, we had no indication of neutral clusters. The reason is either less efficient charging of clusters in comparison to molecular sulphuric acid, or the low concentration of neutral clusters at our measurement site during these particular nucleation events.We show that utilizing high resolution mass spectrometry is crucial in separating the weak sulfuric acid cluster signal from other compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first ambient measurements using nitrate ion based Chemical Ionization with the Atmospheric Pressure interface Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer (CI-APi-TOF) for sulphuric acid and neutral cluster detection are presented. We have found CI-APi-TOF a highly stable and sensitive tool for molecular sulphuric acid detection. The lowest limit of detection for sulphuric acid was determined to be 3 x 104 molecules cm-3 for two hour averaging. Signals from sulphuric acid clusters up to tetramer accompanied by ammonia were also obtained but these were found to result from naturally charged clusters formed by ion induced clustering in the atmosphere during nucleation. Opposite to earlier studies with cluster mass spectrometers, we had no indication of neutral clusters. The reason is either less efficient charging of clusters in comparison to molecular sulphuric acid, or in low concentration of neutral clusters at our measurement site during these particular nucleation events. We show that utilizing high resolution mass spectrometry is crucial in separating the weak sulfuric acid cluster signal from the other compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of a comprehensive suite of inorganic and organic trace gases, including non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), halogenated organics and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOC), obtained from the NASA DC-8 over Canada during the ARCTAS aircraft campaign in July 2008 illustrate that convection is important for redistributing both long and short-lived species throughout the troposphere. Convective outflow events were identified by the elevated mixing ratios of organic species in the upper troposphere relative to background conditions. Several dramatic events were observed in which isoprene and its oxidation products were detected at hundreds of pptv at altitudes higher than 8 km. Two events are studied in detail using detailed experimental data and the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) box model. One event had no lightning NOx (NO+NO2 ) associated with it and the other had substantial lightning NOx (LNOx). When convective storms transport isoprene from the boundary layer to the upper troposphere and LNOx is present, there is a large effect on the expected ensuing chemistry. The model predicts a dominant impact on HOx and nitrogen-containing species; the relative contribution from other species such as peroxides is insignificant. The isoprene reacts quickly, resulting in primary and secondary products, including formaldehyde and methyl glyoxal. The model predicts enhanced production of alkyl nitrates (ANs) and peroxyacyl nitrate compounds (PANs). PANs persist because of the cold temperatures of the upper troposphere resulting in a large change in the NOx mixing ratios, compared to the case in which no isoprene is convected, a scenario which is also explored by the model. This, in turn, has a large impact on the HOx chemistry. Ozone production is substantial during the first few hours following the event, resulting in a net gain of approximately 10 ppbv compared to the scenario in which no isoprene is present aloft. In the case of isoprene being present aloft but no LNOx, OH is reduced due to scavenging by isoprene, which serves to slow the chemistry resulting in longer lifetimes for species that react with OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the development of a method for the measurement of hydroperoxy (HO2) and organic peroxy radicals (RO2). The method combines the process of oxygen dilution modulation and chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) peroxy radical measurement techniques. A comparison of the peroxy radical measurements with the photochemical box model is highlighted.