Heterogeneous and multiphase reactions of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds on mineral dust aerosol
Given the importance of organic compounds in the atmosphere, it is imperative that there is a full understanding of their atmospheric chemistry. In these studies, heterogeneous and multiphase reactions of several volatile organic and semi volatile organic compounds with components of mineral dust aerosol and transition metal ions are being investigated in laboratory studies so as to more fully understand their atmospheric chemistry. We are interested in several different classes of organic compounds from biogenic sources and fossil fuel production including terpenes (alpha-pinene), complex organic acids (pyruvic acid) and aromatics (phenol) as well as several representative classes of VCPs including glycol ethers (2-butoxyethanol), amino alcohols (ethanolamine) and ketones (methyl ethyl ketone). The heterogeneous interactions of these compounds with different components of mineral dust aerosol including oxides and clay minerals as a function of relative humidity and in the presence of other trace gases (e.g. oxidants and acidic gases) is currently being explored. Furthermore, we are interested in how soluble transition metal ions from mineral dust can play a role in the chemistry of some of the more water-soluble organic compounds. The main thrusts of these studies are to:
Investigate through laboratory studies the surface adsorption of different classes of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds on different components of mineral dust aerosol as a function of relative humidity to further our knowledge of their atmospheric chemistry.
Determine the impact of heterogeneous chemistry and photochemistry of these different classes of adsorbed organic compounds with trace gases (e.g. O3, H2O2, NO2 and HNO3).
Investigate mineral dust and transition-metal ion catalyzed reactions (e.g. with Fe3+, Fe2+) of organic compounds in bulk aqueous reactions and individual droplets to understand the role of both mineral surfaces and transition metal ions in transforming these organic compounds in the aqueous phase.