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Photolytic radical persistence due to anoxia in viscous aerosol particles

Author

Listed:
  • Peter A. Alpert

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Jing Dou

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich)

  • Pablo Corral Arroyo

    (Paul Scherrer Institute
    Laboratory for Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich)

  • Frederic Schneider

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Jacinta Xto

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Beiping Luo

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich)

  • Thomas Peter

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich)

  • Thomas Huthwelker

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Camelia N. Borca

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Katja D. Henzler

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Thomas Schaefer

    (Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research)

  • Hartmut Herrmann

    (Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research)

  • Jörg Raabe

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Benjamin Watts

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

  • Ulrich K. Krieger

    (Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich)

  • Markus Ammann

    (Paul Scherrer Institute)

Abstract

In viscous, organic-rich aerosol particles containing iron, sunlight may induce anoxic conditions that stabilize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbon-centered radicals (CCRs). In laboratory experiments, we show mass loss, iron oxidation and radical formation and release from photoactive organic particles containing iron. Our results reveal a range of temperature and relative humidity, including ambient conditions, that control ROS build up and CCR persistence in photochemically active, viscous organic particles. We find that radicals can attain high concentrations, altering aerosol chemistry and exacerbating health hazards of aerosol exposure. Our physicochemical kinetic model confirmed these results, implying that oxygen does not penetrate such particles due to the combined effects of fast reaction and slow diffusion near the particle surface, allowing photochemically-produced radicals to be effectively trapped in an anoxic organic matrix.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter A. Alpert & Jing Dou & Pablo Corral Arroyo & Frederic Schneider & Jacinta Xto & Beiping Luo & Thomas Peter & Thomas Huthwelker & Camelia N. Borca & Katja D. Henzler & Thomas Schaefer & Hartmut H, 2021. "Photolytic radical persistence due to anoxia in viscous aerosol particles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21913-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21913-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Marius Bodor, 2021. "A Study on Indoor Particulate Matter Variation in Time Based on Count and Sizes and in Relation to Meteorological Conditions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-9, July.

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