Organic peroxy radicals: Kinetics,spectroscopy and tropospheric chemistry

The present state of knowledge of organic, or carbon-based, peroxy radicals (RO₂) is reviewed. Data on the chemical and physical properties of peroxy radicals in the gas-phase is considered, as well as the role of peroxy radicals in tropospheric chemistry and measurements of their concentrations in the atmosphere. Where appropriate, peroxy radicals are grouped together by type (alkyl, acyl, oxygen-substituted, halogen-substituted and aromatic radicals) to facilitate comparison. Data on the hydroperoxy radical (HO₂) is included where it is directly relevant to measurements on organic peroxy radicals, eg. absorption cross-sections used in measurements of RO₂ + HO₂ rate constants. The literature data is critically reviewed and recommendations for absorption cross-sections, rate constants and branching ratios are made where considered appropriate.The laboratory experimental techniques which have been used for the generation and detection of peroxy radicals and the products of their reactions are discussed. The structure, spectroscopy and thermochemistry of the radicals are examined. Although the majority of spectroscopic data concerns the u.v. spectra much used for kinetic studies, near-infrared, infrared and electron spin resonance spectra are also considered. In many cases, peroxy radical u.v. spectra are well-fitted by a Gaussian distribution function, enabling the cross-sections to be easily calculated at any wavelength.For the purpose of this review, the chemical reactions of peroxy radicals are divided into reactions with organic peroxy radicals with HO₂, with NO and NO₂, and finally with other species. Peroxy radical abstraction and addition reactions with closed-shell species are sufficiently slow to be of negligible importance at temperatures pertinent to the atmosphere and are consequently not covered. Data on both the kinetics and mechanisms of peroxy radical reactions are considered.The role of peroxy radicals as intermediates in the atmospheric degradation of volatile organic compounds and in the production of ozone in the troposphere under both low and high [NO_x] conditions is discussed. The involvement of peroxy radicals in night-time oxidation chemistry and the oxidation of halocarbons is also indicated. The techniques used for the difficult measurement of peroxy radical concentrations in the atmosphere are described, together with the results to date.Finally, some tentative suggestions as to further avenues of research are made, based on the data reviewed here and with particular reference to the solution of outstanding problems in atmospheric chemistry. Although a great deal of progress has been made in recent years, it is clear that additional work is needed in most areas covered by this review. New, sensitive and selective laboratory techniques are required for studies of peroxy radical kinetics and high level ab initio calculations would help design laser-based detection techniques. Further product studies of photooxidation systems are needed, particularly as a function of temperature. Recent work has shown that the rate constants for RO₂ + HO₂ reactions used in modelling studies may be too low; if so, these reactions will be correspondingly more important than previously believed in tropospheric oxidation. Recent kinetic studies of the potentially important reactions of methylperoxy radicals with ClO and NO₃ need to be confirmed and mechanistic work is necessary. Although substantial progress has been made towards the monitoring of peroxy radical concentrations in the atmosphere, more work is needed, both on measurements and the development of new techniques.     

Review of heterogeneous photochemical reactions of NOy on aerosol－A possible daytime source of nitrous acid (HONO) in the atmosphere

As an important precursor of hydroxyl radical, nitrous acid (HONO) plays a key role in the chemistry of the lower atmosphere. Recent atmospheric measurements and model calculations show strong enhancement for HONO formation during daytime, while they are inconsistent with the known sources in the atmosphere, suggesting that current models are lacking important sources for HONO. In this article, heterogeneous photochemical reactions of nitric acid/nitrate anion and nitrogen oxide on various aerosols were reviewed and their potential contribution to HONO formation was also discussed. It is demonstrated that HONO can be formed by photochemical reaction on surfaces with deposited HNO3 , by photocatalytic reaction of NO2 on TiO2 or TiO2 -containing materials, and by photochemical reaction of NO2 on soot, humic acids or other photosensitized organic surfaces. Although significant uncertainties still exist in the exact mechanisms and the yield of HONO, these additional sources might explain daytime observations in the atmosphere.     

Progress in quantitative research on the relationship between atmospheric oxidation and air quality

Atmospheric oxidizing capacity (AOC) is an essential driving force of troposphere chemistry and self-cleaning, but the definition of AOC and its quantitative representation remain uncertain. Driven by national demand for air pollution control in recent years, Chinese scholars have carried out studies on theories of atmospheric chemistry and have made considerable progress in AOC research. This paper will give a brief review of these developments. First, AOC indexes were established that represent apparent atmospheric oxidizing ability (AOIe) and potential atmospheric oxidizing ability (AOIp) based on aspects of macrothermodynamics and microdynamics, respectively. A closed study refined the quantitative contributions of heterogeneous chemistry to AOC in Beijing, and these AOC methods were further applied in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and key areas across the country. In addition, the detection of ground or vertical profiles for atmospheric OH·, HO₂·, NO₃· radicals and reservoir molecules can now be obtained with domestic instruments in diverse environments. Moreover, laboratory smoke chamber simulations revealed heterogeneous processes involving reactions of O₃ and NO₂, which are typical oxidants in the surface/interface atmosphere, and the evolutionary and budgetary implications of atmospheric oxidants reacting under multispecies, multiphase and multi-interface conditions were obtained. Finally, based on the GRAPES-CUACE adjoint model improved by Chinese scholars, simulations of key substances affecting atmospheric oxidation and secondary organic and inorganic aerosol formation have been optimized. Normalized numerical simulations of AOIe and AOIp were performed, and regional coordination of AOC was adjusted. An optimized plan for controlling O₃ and PM_2.5 was analyzed by scenario simulation.     

连续测量大气·OH的化学电离飞行时间质谱仪的研制

搭建了一套化学电离飞行时间质谱仪用于连续测量大气·OH.该仪器采用了基于63Ni放射源的双管正交式结构大气压化学电离源电离大气中的·OH,最大程度地避免了试剂气体电离及滴定、转化反应间的相互干扰.63Ni放射源首先电离HNO3试剂气体得到试剂离子NO-3,·OH在反应管中与SO2反应最终转化为H2SO4,NO-3与H2SO4发生化学电离反应生成HSO-4离子,进入到质谱仪中进行检测,通过测量NO-3与HSO-4离子的强度,利用化学电离反应方程可直接计算出大气中OH的浓度.所研制仪器用于实验室内·OH的在线检测,在5 s内测得·OH的浓度为1.6×106个·cm-3,实验结果显示该仪器可用于原位连续测量大气中的超痕量自由基.     

广州城市大气HOx化学过程初步研究

根据广州城市大气中OH自由基和其它污染物同步测量结果,计算了城市大气HO_x(OH+HO₂)化学过程中主要反应的转化速率,分析了城市大气化学过程的主要特征,并与清洁大气中的化学过程进行了对比.研究结果表明:广州城市大气中OH和HO₂总的生成速率分别约为4.5×10⁸分子/(cm³·s)和3.8×10⁸分子/(cm³·s),比清洁大气中要快得多;城市大气中的OH净生成主要来自气相HNO₂的光解,而OH的去除主要与VOCs、HCHO、NO₂和CO反应,有别于清洁大气.     

基于总过氧自由基观测研究合肥市西郊夏季O3生成特征

2020年8月利用化学放大法对合肥市西郊大气总过氧自由基RO^*₂·(RO₂·+HO₂·)体积分数进行监测,并结合O₃和其前体物,分析了过氧自由基体积分数、O₃生成速率和O₃生成对前体物的敏感性.结果表明,观测期间总过氧自由基体积分数的日均值呈典型的单峰型变化,12:00左右出现最高值,日间峰值体积分数为43.8×10^-12,日间RO^*₂·与太阳辐射强度、温度和O₃呈明显的相关性.利用实测RO^*₂·和NO,获得合肥市西郊夏季O₃生成速率,日间峰值为10.6×10^-9h^-1,O₃生成速率对NO变化更为敏感.基于大气自由基和NO_x(NO+NO₂)反应去除速率占比(Ln/Q),对合肥...     

Observations of N2O5 and NO3 at a suburban environment in Yangtze river delta in China: Estimating heterogeneous N2O5 uptake coefficients

The nitrate radical (NO₃) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N₂O₅) play an important role in the nocturnal atmosphere chemistry. Observations of NO₃ radicals and N₂O₅ were performed in a semirural ground site at Tai'Zhou in polluted southern China using cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) from 23 May to 15 June 2018. The observed NO₃ and N₂O₅ concentrations were relatively low, with 1 min average value of 4.4 ± 2.2 and 26.0 ± 35.7 pptV, respectively. The N₂O₅ uptake coefficient was determined to be from 0.027 to 0.107 based on steady state lifetime method. Fast N₂O₅ hydrolysis was the largest contributor to the loss of NO₃ and contributed to substantial nitrate formation, with an average value of 14.83 ± 6.01 µg/m³. Further analysis shows that the N₂O₅ heterogeneous reactions dominated the nocturnal NO_x loss and the nocturnal NO_x loss rate is 0.14 ± 0.02 over this region.     

大气气溶胶中碘形态研究进展

大气中的碘直接影响对流层中多种光化学反应并间接影响全球气候变化,因而碘的大气化学机制研究受到越来越多关注.气溶胶中的碘是其大气化学反应的最终产物,通过其赋存形态可以推测和了解碘的大气化学过程.大气碘化学理论一直认为IO3-是大气碘沉降中最主要的碘形态,但近年来的各地实测数据发现大气气溶胶中的碘形态大多以可溶性有机碘或I-为主.这种分歧说明目前的大气碘化学理论尚有待完善.本文详细介绍了近年来碘的大气化学以及气溶胶颗粒物中碘形态的研究进展.     

车载激光雷达对北京地区边界层污染监测研究

介绍了自行研制的车载差分激光雷达AML-2探测原理及技术参数,于2006-08、2006-09在不同天气因素条件下对北京西南郊榆垡地区大气边界层污染物O3、NO2、SO2进行了实时监测,对比分析了3种污染物浓度垂直分布及日变化特征.结果表明,无外来污染输送时,3种污染物在阴雨天气总体浓度较小,O3和NO2浓度随高度升高而减小,SO2浓度垂直分布少见此特征,但在近地面0.6 km左右有较强SO2污染层.南部气流输送对北京地区大气环境影响明显,2006-08-23～2006-08-25这次强污染气流输送高度约1～1.5 km,3种污染物浓度垂直分布及日变化特征受到干扰,北京榆垡地区边界层O3、NO2、SO2总体浓度明显上升.     

Calculation of long term averaged ground level ozone concentrations

Seasonal averaged ground level concentrations for O₃ have been calculated for The Netherlands by means of a two-layer Lagrangian long-range transport (LRT) model. The model includes emissions, nonlinear atmospheric chemistry, dry deposition, exchange between boundary layer (BL) and free troposphere (FT) and fumigation between a mixed layer and an aged smog layer. Concentrations of primary and secondary pollutants in the FT are obtained from a two-dimensional global model developed by Isaksen.In the reference calculation the modelled concentrations of Ox (sum of O₃ and NO₂) and O₃ are in fair agreement with measurements. The NO_x (sum of NO and NO₂) and NO₂ concentrations are under-estimated by the model but there is a good temporal correlation between calculated and measured concentrations. Validation of other components involved in the chemical scheme is hardly possible due to the paucity of measured data. It can only be stated that the results presented in this paper are not in disagreement with measured or modelled data presented in the literature.In a number of sensitivity runs the influence of European anthropogenic emissions of NO_x and volatile organic compounds (VOC) has been investigated. The calculations indicate that the influence of European emissions on the growing season, daytime averaged (May–September, 10–17 h) O₃ concentrations in The Netherlands is small. For European reductions in the order of tens of per cents a VOC emission reduction is more effective than a NO_x emission reduction in lowering the O₃ concentrations. For strong reductions (about 70%) VOC and NO_x are equally effective. The effects of the modelled underprediction of NO_x concentrations on the production of O₃ on a European scale are probably small. On a local scale the effects are more pronounced due to the NO/O₃ titration (photostationary equilibrium). Therefore, an empirical correction is applied on the modelled O₃ concentrations. After this correction, it is shown that daytime O₃ levels during the growing season increase when European NO_x emissions are reduced (2.0–7.7.% increase at 50% NO_x emission reduction). A reduction in VOC emission leads to decreasing O₃ levels (9% reduction for 40% VOC emission reduction, 16% reduction for 70% VOC emission reduction). For a combined reduction of both VOC and NO_x slightly decreasing ground level O₃ concentrations are expected.     

Atmospheric chemistry of peroxides: a review

Inorganic and organic peroxides have become the focus of increased attention by atmospheric chemists during the last decade. Hydrogen peroxide serves as an important link between gas phase radicals and aqueous phase chemistry in the atmosphere. As an important aqueous phase oxidant of S(IV), H₂O₂ plays a major role in the acidification of clouds, fogs, dew and rain. Several studies have indicated that peroxides and their precursor radicals cause damage to a variety of plant tissue.In this article we review analytical techniques, discuss and review the various sources of peroxides in the gas and aqueous phases and examine their reactions with S(IV) and N(III).     

The spatial distribution and particle size of some inorganic nitrogen,sulphur and chlorine species over the North Sea

The use of filter packs and a cascade impactor during a series of research cruises in the southern area of the North Sea has yielded detailed spatial distribution patterns of aerosol concentrations, Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻¹ and NH₄⁺ and gaseous concentrations, HCl, HNO₃ and NH₃. The overall distribution of the atmospheric concentrations closely parallels published modelled results for metallic species. The chemical transformations of these aerosols and gases are investigated together with their interactions with the seasalt aerosol. Aerosol chloride loss is greatest in the more polluted areas, whilst concentrations products of NH₃ with HNO₃ and HCl appear insufficient to sustain the existence of NH₄NO₃ and NH₄Cl. Nitrate is associated predominantly with larger particles and appears to be present substantially as a surface coating on marine aerosol. The total dry deposition input for nitrogen species is calculated for the southern sector with extrapolation to the whole of the North Sea, using particle size weighted deposition velocities of 0.63 and 0.21 cm s⁻¹ for NO₃⁻¹ and NH₄⁺, respectively, and literature-derived values for the gaseous constituents. Finally the use of air-mass back trajectories illustrates the role of source regions in influencing the chemical composition of the North Sea atmosphere.     

The chemistry of dews and frosts in indianapolis,Indiana

Dews and frosts forming on chemically clean Teflon surfaces were sampled for pH and ion concentrations during a 13-month period in urban Indianapolis, Indiana. We predicted that dews forming in this polluted atmosphere would be acidic due to absorption of SO₂, NO₂ and CO₂, but that frost pH would be neutral due to the lack of gas absorption. However, measured pH ranged from 6.0 to 7.2, and dew and frost pH were not significantly different. Anion and cation concentrations did not differ between dews and frosts, implying similar mechanisms and rates for scavenging of atmospheric chemicals. Sulfite and nitrite were present in many samples, indicating SO₂ and NO₂ absorption by both dews and frosts. The presence of ions (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺) lacking gaseous sources suggested that sedimentation of aerosols, primarily carbonates and salts, from surrounding agricultural lands occurred into dews and frosts as they formed. Carbonate deposition may have been responsible for near-neutral dew and frost pH. Dews sampled from sugar maple leaves were depleted of ammonium and enriched in other ions, but did not differ substantially in pH, compared to dews simultaneously sampled from Teflon. Temporal (overnight) sampling of dews on Teflon showed that dew chemistry changed substantially during the course of the night.     

European scale application of atmospheric reactive nitrogen measurements in a low-cost approach to infer dry deposition fluxes

A European scale network was established in 2006 as part of the NitroEurope Integrated Project to infer reactive nitrogen (Nr) dry deposition fluxes, based on low-cost sampling of gaseous and aerosol species and inferential modelling. The network provides monthly measurements of NH₃, NH₄⁺, HNO₃ and NO₃⁻, as well as SO₂, SO₄²⁻, HCl, Cl⁻ and base cations at 58 sites. Measurements are made with an established low-cost denuder methodology (DELTA) as a basis to: (1) examine temporal trends and spatial patterns across Europe, (2) improve and calibrate inferential modelling techniques to estimate exchange of Nr species, (3) provide best estimates of atmospheric dry N deposition, and (4) permit an analysis of net GHG exchange in relation to atmospheric and agricultural N inputs at the European scale. Responsibility for measurements is shared among seven European laboratories. An inter-comparison of the DELTA implementation by 6 laboratories at 4 test sites (Montelibretti, Italy; Braunschweig, Germany; Paterna, Spain and Auchencorth, UK) from July to October 2006 provided training for the laboratories and showed that good agreement was achieved in different climatic conditions (87% of laboratory site-means within 20% of the inter-laboratory median). Results obtained from the first year of measurements show substantial spatial variability in atmospheric Nr concentrations, illustrating the major local (NH₃) and regional (HNO₃, NO₃⁻, and NH₄⁺) differences in Nr concentrations. These results provide the basis to develop future estimates of site-based Nr dry deposition fluxes across Europe, and highlight the role of NH₃, largely of agricultural origin, which was the largest single constituent and will dominate dry Nr fluxes at most sites.     

An online monitoring system for atmospheric nitrous acid (HONO) based on stripping coil and ion chromatography

A new instrument for measuring atmospheric nitrous acid(HONO) was developed,consisting of a double-wall glass stripping coil sampler coupled with ion chromatography(SC-IC).SC-IC is featured by small size(50 × 35 × 25 cm) and modular construction,including three independent parts:the sampling unit,the transfer and supporting unit,and the detection unit.High collection efficiency(> 99%) was achieved with 25 μmol/L Na2CO3 as absorption solution even in the presence of highly acidic compounds.This instrument has a detection limit of 8 pptv at 15 min time resolution,with a measurement uncertainty of 7%.Potential interferences from NOx,NO2+SO2,NO2+VOCs,HONO+O3,HNO3,peroxyacetyl nitrite(PAN) and particle nitrite were quantified in laboratory studies and were found to be insignificant under typical atmospheric conditions.Within the framework of the 3C-STAR project,inter-comparison between the SC-IC and LOPAP(long path liquid absorption photometer) was conducted at a rural site in the Pearl River Delta.Good agreement was achieved between the two instruments over three weeks.Both instruments determined a clear diurnal profile of ambient HONO concentrations from 0.1 to 2.5 ppbv.However,deviations were found for low ambient HONO concentrations(i.e.< 0.3 ppbv),which cannot be explained by previous investigated interference species.To accurately determine the HONO budget under illuminated conditions,more intercomparison of HONO measurement techniques is still needed in future studies,especially at low HONO concentrations.     

Transverse approach between real world concentrations of SO2, NO2, BTEX, aldehyde emissions and corrosion in the Grand Mare tunnel

With regard to automotive traffic, a tunnel-type semi enclosed atmosphere is characterized by a higher concentration of gaseous pollutants than on urban traffic roads and highlights the gaseous effluent species having an impact on material degradation. Therefore, a transverse approach between air quality and its consequences upon the longevity of materials is necessary, implying better knowledge of tunnel atmosphere and a better understanding of material degradation inside a tunnel for operating administration. Gaseous pollutant measurements carried out in a road tunnel in Rouen (Normandy) give the real world traffic concentrations of experimental exposure conditions. The sampling campaigns, achieved in summer and winter include SO₂, NO₂, BTEX and aldehyde analyses. Effluent profiles in the upward and downward tubes have been established. The current work shows that SO₂, NO₂, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal and butanal must be considered in the degradation process of materials in a stuffy environment. As regards NO₂, its concentration depends on the modification of the automotive fleet. The total aldehyde concentrations indicate no particular trend between the two bores. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propanal, butanal and acrolein species are the most abundant species emitted by vehicles and represent 90% to 95% of the total aldehyde emissions.     

Air pollutant concentrations in Varanasi,India

This study reports the diurnal patterns in the concentrations of ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and total suspended particulate matter (TSP) in the urban atmosphere of Varanasi city in India during 1989. The city was divided into five zones and three monitoring stations were selected in each zone.Ambient concentrations of NO₂ and SO₂ were maximum during winter but ozone and TSP concentrations were highest during summer. The measured maximum concentrations (2-h average) were 150 and 231 μg m⁻³ (0.078 and 0.086 ppm) for NO₂ and SO₂, respectively, for the winter season. Ozone and TSP concentrations reached a maximum of 160 (0.08 ppm) and 733 μg m⁻³, respectively, in the summer. NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations peaked in the morning and evening. Peak concentrations of O₃ occurred in the afternoon, generally between noon and 4 p.m. Maximum concentrations of O₃, NO₂, SO₂ and TSP were measured in zones I and II, and minimum in zone V.     

Fogwater chemistry at Riverside,California

Fog, aerosol, and gas samples were collected during the winter of 1986 at Riverside, California. The dominant components of the aerosol were NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, and SO₄₂₋. Gaseous NH₃ was frequently present at levels equal to or exceeding the aerosol NH₄⁺. Maximum level were 3800, 3100, 690 and 4540 neq m⁻³ for NH₄⁺, NO₃²⁻ and NH_3(g), respectively. The fogwater collected at Riverside had very high concentrations, particularly of the major aerosol components. Maximum concentrations were 26,000 29,000 and 6200 μM for NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻, respectively. pH values in fogwater ranged from 2.3 to 5.7. Formate and acetate concentrations as high as 1500 and 580 μM, respectively, were measured. The maximum CH₂O concentration was 380 μM. Glyoxal and methylglyoxal were found in all the samples; their maximum concentrations were 280 and 120 μM, respectively. Comparison of fogwater and aerosol concentrations indicates that scavenging of precursor aerosol by fog droplets under the conditions at Riverside is less than 100% efficient.The chemistry at Riverside is controlled by the balance between HNO₃ production from NO_x emitted throughout the Los Angeles basin and NH₃ emitted from dairy cattle feedlots just west of Riverside. The balance is controlled by local mixing. Acid fogs result at Riverside when drainage flows from the surrounding mountains isolate the site from the NH₃ source. Continued formation of HNO_3(g) in this air mass eventually depletes the residual NH_3(g). A simple box model that includes deposition, fog scavenging, and dilution is used to assess the effect of curtailing the dairy cattle feedlot operations. The calculations suggest that the resulting reduction of NH₃ levels would decrease the total NO₃⁻ in the atmosphere, but nearly all remaining NO₃⁻ would exist as HNO₃. Fogwater in the basin would be uniformly acidic.     

Improvement of the modelling of daytime nitrogen oxide oxidation in plumes by using instantaneous plume dispersion parameters

The effect of concentration fluctuations on the modelling of non-linear chemical reactions in the atmosphere will be considerable when hourly mean dispersion parameters are used. This effect can be reduced by introducing instantaneous dispersion parameters, as will be shown in this paper for the modelling of the oxidation of NO emited into an O₃ containing atmosphere.We used the results of atmospheric tracer gas experiments to derive the dimensions of the instanteneous plume. With these results model calculations were carried out for the NOO₃ reaction. Results were compared with airborne measurements of NO oxidation in the plumes of Dutch power plants.The introduction of the instantaneous plume leads to better agreement between model calculations and measurements. It is also found that the deviation from photochemical equilibrium in the plume is considerably smaller when instantaneous, instead of hourly, mean dispersion parameters are used. The dimension of the instantaneous plume did not show a dependence on atmospheric stability.     

1997~2011年北京市空气中酸性物质与降水组分变化趋势的相关性分析

依据北京市环境保护监测中心1997～2011年降水监测资料、大气环境质量监测资料,结合北京经济发展和能源结构变化,分析了酸雨前体物的排放与环境空气中酸性物质及降水中组分的相关性,为政府部门评定大气污染治理效果,制定未来防控政策和规划提供科学决策依据.研究表明,环境空气中NO2、NOx、SO2年均浓度显著相关,说明北京地区环境空气中氮与硫的来源基本相同,均来自化石燃料燃烧排放,这也是酸雨形成的根本原因.北京市大气中的污染物主要来自局地排放源,而降水中硫、氮的湿沉降量与环境空气中SO2、NO2、NOx浓度变化趋势的相关性较差,表明降水中各离子浓度受局地源和外来大气输送共同作用的影响.同时发现降水中硝酸根浓度与机动车数量呈现相同变化趋势,反映出机动车尾气排放的NOx与降水中硝酸根浓度增长密切相关.