Aerosols, Water, and Climate
Aerosol particles influence climate via scattering and absorption of radiation. The net effects of aerosol are still poorly understood however, mainly because of a lack of understanding of aerosol formation processes. We are studying the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). SOA is formed as gas phase compounds in the atmosphere are repeatedly oxidized and condense into the particle phase. We are investigating the aerosol formation potential of biogenic carbon compounds oxidized by the nitrate radical (NO3). These lab based kinetics experiments use direct detection of both the aerosol and gas phase nitrates.
We have also participated in a smog chamber experiment at the SAPHIR chamber
in Juelich, Germany. This campaign was an NO3/N2O5 instrument comparison, but
also allowed experiments on aerosol formation from NO3 initiated chemistry.
The extensive suite of measurements present at the campaign, provide an excellent
look at aerosol formation potential.
In collaboration with the Saykally group, we are utilizing liquid microjets
in conjunction with mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy to determine the
role of evaporation kinetics in aerosol and cloud particle formation on the
molecular level. We are also examining the effects of the dissolved solutes
and organic coatings on these rates.
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