Introduction to the chemistry of atmospheric pollutants themed issue
Guest editors Amila De Silva, Max McGillen, Jason Surratt and Cora Young introduce the Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts themed issue on the chemistry of atmospheric pollutants.
A perspective on iron (Fe) in the atmosphere: air quality, climate, and the ocean
We engage in research motivated by climate change and the impacts of pollution on air, water, and human health. The scientific community need to improve communication and knowledge exchange across disciplines to address pressing research questions holistically.
PFAS on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review
PFAS are detected in particulate matter around the world.
Paper
From the HOMEChem frying pan to the outdoor atmosphere: chemical composition, volatility distributions and fate of cooking aerosol
New measurements show that cooking aerosol released indoors can partition as it dilutes through a home and to the outdoor atmosphere, impacting both indoor and outdoor air quality.
Elevated levels of chloramines and chlorine detected near an indoor sports complex
Chlorinated cleaning products containing hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl−) act as sources of toxic chloramines (NH2Cl, NHCl2, NCl3) and atmospheric oxidant precursors (i.e. Cl2) which impact air quality.
Paper
Molecular speciation controls arsenic and lead bioaccessibility in fugitive dusts from sulfidic mine tailings
Mine tailings are sources of metal(loid)-rich particulate matter (PM), particularly in dry climates. Inhaled or ingested PM bioavailability and toxicity depends on the solid phase speciation and the rate of PM dissolution.
Evaluation of iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometry for gas and aerosol-phase per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be measured in real time in gas and aerosol using iodide chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS).
Exploring controls on perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) gas–particle partitioning using a model with observational constraints
The atmospheric fate of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) has attracted much attention in recent decades due to the role of the atmosphere in global transport of these persistent chemicals.
Aqueous processing of water-soluble organic compounds in the eastern United States during winter
The uptake of WSOCg from biomass burning into ALW results in compounds that remain in the particle phase upon drying.
Hygroscopicity of nitrogen-containing organic carbon compounds: o-aminophenol and p-aminophenol
As nitrogen-containing organic carbon of atmospheric relevance, the water uptake of two phenolic compounds, o-aminophenol and p-aminophenol, is investigated under sub- and supersaturated conditions through the lens of aerosol-cloud interactions.
Iodine emission from the reactive uptake of ozone to simulated seawater
We suggest a re-evaluation of two reaction rate constants to be able to better model iodine emission from the ozonolysis of iodide in the presence of chloride.
Kinetics of oligomer-forming reactions involving the major functional groups present in atmospheric secondary organic aerosol particles
Measurements of the kinetics of accretion reactions involving organic compounds typical of those present in atmospheric aerosol particles demonstrate the potential importance of peroxyhemiacetal and ester formation in a single organic phase and in phase-separated organic/aqueous mixtures containing a sulfuric acid catalyst.
Molecular investigation of the multi-phase photochemistry of Fe(III)–citrate in aqueous solution
The comprehensive reaction mechanism of FeIII–citrate multiphase photochemistry and formation of unexplored colloidal reaction products that contribute to terrestrial light-absorbing materials.
pH affects the aqueous-phase nitrate-mediated photooxidation of phenolic compounds: implications for brown carbon formation and evolution
This work highlights how the pH of the atmospheric aqueous phase can influence the reactivities of phenolic compounds and brown carbon formation/evolution during nitrate-mediated photooxidation.
Formation pathways of aldehydes from heated cooking oils
We studied the mechanisms of cooking oil decomposition that lead to emission of aldehydes, an important group of air pollutants, from food cooking.
About this collection
Guest Edited by Amila De Silva (Environment and Climate Change Canada), Max McGillen (CNRS-ICARE), Jason Surratt (University of North Carolina) and Cora Young (York University), this issue presents advances in molecular-level study of atmospheric chemical processes that form our critical understanding of pollutant emissions, transport, transformation, and deposition. Such research is particularly apt given the accelerated perturbations such as climate change, changing emissions (including emerging contaminants), land development and regulations.