ORCID Profile
0000-0002-0899-1369
Current Organisation
University of Colorado at Boulder
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 25-06-2020
Abstract: Abstract. In the present-day atmosphere, sulfuric acid is the most important vapour for aerosol particle formation and initial growth. However, the growth rates of nanoparticles ( nm) from sulfuric acid remain poorly measured. Therefore, the effect of stabilizing bases, the contribution of ions and the impact of attractive forces on molecular collisions are under debate. Here, we present precise growth rate measurements of uncharged sulfuric acid particles from 1.8 to 10 nm, performed under atmospheric conditions in the CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) CLOUD chamber. Our results show that the evaporation of sulfuric acid particles above 2 nm is negligible, and growth proceeds kinetically even at low ammonia concentrations. The experimental growth rates exceed the hard-sphere kinetic limit for the condensation of sulfuric acid. We demonstrate that this results from van der Waals forces between the vapour molecules and particles and disentangle it from charge–dipole interactions. The magnitude of the enhancement depends on the assumed particle hydration and collision kinetics but is increasingly important at smaller sizes, resulting in a steep rise in the observed growth rates with decreasing size. Including the experimental results in a global model, we find that the enhanced growth rate of sulfuric acid particles increases the predicted particle number concentrations in the upper free troposphere by more than 50 %.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 07-07-2021
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 07-01-2022
Abstract: Abstract. This study presents a characterization of the hygroscopic growth behaviour and effects of different inorganic seed particles on the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) from the dark ozone-initiated oxidation of isoprene at low NOx conditions. We performed simulations of isoprene oxidation using a gas-phase chemical reaction mechanism based on the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) in combination with an equilibrium gas–particle partitioning model to predict the SOA concentration. The equilibrium model accounts for non-ideal mixing in liquid phases, including liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), and is based on the AIOMFAC (Aerosol Inorganic–Organic Mixtures Functional groups Activity Coefficients) model for mixture non-ideality and the EVAPORATION (Estimation of VApour Pressure of ORganics, Accounting for Temperature, Intramolecular, and Non-additivity effects) model for pure compound vapour pressures. Measurements from the Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber experiments, conducted at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) for isoprene ozonolysis cases, were used to aid in parameterizing the SOA yields at different atmospherically relevant temperatures, relative humidity (RH), and reacted isoprene concentrations. To represent the isoprene-ozonolysis-derived SOA, a selection of organic surrogate species is introduced in the coupled modelling system. The model predicts a single, homogeneously mixed particle phase at all relative humidity levels for SOA formation in the absence of any inorganic seed particles. In the presence of aqueous sulfuric acid or ammonium bisulfate seed particles, the model predicts LLPS to occur below ∼ 80 % RH, where the particles consist of an inorganic-rich liquid phase and an organic-rich liquid phase however, this includes significant amounts of bisulfate and water partitioned to the organic-rich phase. The measurements show an enhancement in the SOA amounts at 85 % RH, compared to 35 % RH, for both the seed-free and seeded cases. The model predictions of RH-dependent SOA yield enhancements at 85 % RH vs. 35 % RH are 1.80 for a seed-free case, 1.52 for the case with ammonium bisulfate seed, and 1.06 for the case with sulfuric acid seed. Predicted SOA yields are enhanced in the presence of an aqueous inorganic seed, regardless of the seed type (ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfate, or sulfuric acid) in comparison with seed-free conditions at the same RH level. We discuss the comparison of model-predicted SOA yields with a selection of other laboratory studies on isoprene SOA formation conducted at different temperatures and for a variety of reacted isoprene concentrations. Those studies were conducted at RH levels at or below 40 % with reported SOA mass yields ranging from 0.3 % up to 9.0 %, indicating considerable variations. A robust feature of our associated gas–particle partitioning calculations covering the whole RH range is the predicted enhancement of SOA yield at high RH ( 80 %) compared to low RH (dry) conditions, which is explained by the effect of particle water uptake and its impact on the equilibrium partitioning of all components.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 05-02-2021
Abstract: Iodine species are one of only a handful of atmospheric vapors known to make new aerosol particles, which play a central role in controlling the radiative forcing of climate. He et al. report experimental evidence from the CERN Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets, or CLOUD, chamber demonstrating that iodic acid and iodous acid rapidly form new particles and can compete with sulfuric acid in pristine regions. Science , this issue p. 589
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 07-07-2021
DOI: 10.5194/ACP-2021-512
Abstract: Abstract. New Particle Formation (NPF) from biogenic organic precursors is an important atmospheric process. One of the major species is α-pinene, which upon oxidation, can form a suite of products covering a wide range of volatilities. A fraction of the oxidation products is termed Highly Oxygenated Organic Molecules (HOM). These play a crucial role for nucleation and the formation of Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA). However, measuring the composition of newly formed particles is challenging due to their very small mass. Here, we present results on the gas and particle phase chemical composition for a system where α-pinene was oxidized by ozone, and for a mixed system of α-pinene and isoprene, respectively. The measurements took place at the CERN Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber at temperatures between −50 °C and −30 °C and at low and high relative humidity (20 % and 60 to 100 % RH). These conditions were chosen to simulate pure biogenic new particle formation in the upper free troposphere. The particle chemical composition was analyzed by the Thermal Desorption-Differential Mobility Analyzer (TD-DMA) coupled to a nitrate chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This instrument can be used for particle and gas phase measurements using the same ionization and detection scheme. Our measurements revealed the presence of C8-10 monomers and C18-20 dimers as the major compounds in the particles (diameter up to ~ 100 nm). Particularly, for the system with isoprene added, C5 (C5H10O5-7) and C15 compounds (C15H24O5-10) are detected. This observation is consistent with the previously observed formation of such compounds in the gas phase. However, although the C5 and C15 compounds do not easily nucleate, our measurements indicate that they can still contribute to the particle growth at free tropospheric conditions. For the experiments reported here, most likely isoprene might enhance growth at particle sizes larger than 15 nm. Besides the chemical information regarding the HOM formation for the α-pinene (plus isoprene) system, we report on the nucleation rates measured at 1.7 nm and found that the lower J1.7nm values compared with previous studies are very likely due to the higher α-pinene and ozone mixing ratios used in the present study
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 05-04-2023
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-2722087/V1
Abstract: Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) are a major source of new particles affecting Earth’s climate 1,2 . HOM production from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs during both day and night, and can lead to new particle formation (NPF) 3,4 . However, NPF involving organic vapors has been reported much more often during daytime 3-6 than during nighttime 7,8 . Here, we show that the nitrate radicals (NO 3 ) - which arise predominantly at night – inhibit NPF during the oxidation of monoterpenes based on three lines of observational evidence: NPF experiments in the CLOUD chamber at CERN radical chemistry experiments using an oxidation flow reactor and field observations in a wetland that occasionally exhibits nocturnal NPF. Nitrooxy-peroxy radicals formed from NO 3 chemistry suppress the production of ultra-low volatility organic compounds (ULVOCs) responsible for biogenic NPF, which are covalently bound RO 2 dimer association products. The ULVOC yield of α-pinene in the presence of NO3 is one-fifth of that resulting from ozone chemistry alone. Even trace amounts of NO 3 radicals, at sub parts per trillion level, suppress the NPF rate by a factor of 4. Ambient observations further confirm that when NO 3 chemistry is involved, monoterpene NPF is completely turned off. Our results explain the frequent absence of nocturnal biogenic NPF in monoterpene-rich environments.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 25-11-2021
DOI: 10.5194/ACP-21-17099-2021
Abstract: Abstract. Biogenic organic precursors play an important role in atmospheric new particle formation (NPF). One of the major precursor species is α-pinene, which upon oxidation can form a suite of products covering a wide range of volatilities. Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) comprise a fraction of the oxidation products formed. While it is known that HOMs contribute to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation, including NPF, they have not been well studied in newly formed particles due to their very low mass concentrations. Here we present gas- and particle-phase chemical composition data from experimental studies of α-pinene oxidation, including in the presence of isoprene, at temperatures (−50 and −30 ∘C) and relative humidities (20 % and 60 %) relevant in the upper free troposphere. The measurements took place at the CERN Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber. The particle chemical composition was analyzed by a thermal desorption differential mobility analyzer (TD-DMA) coupled to a nitrate chemical ionization–atmospheric pressure interface–time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometer. CI-APi-TOF was used for particle- and gas-phase measurements, applying the same ionization and detection scheme. Our measurements revealed the presence of C8−10 monomers and C18−20 dimers as the major compounds in the particles (diameter up to ∼ 100 nm). Particularly, for the system with isoprene added, C5 (C5H10O5−7) and C15 compounds (C15H24O5−10) were detected. This observation is consistent with the previously observed formation of such compounds in the gas phase. However, although the C5 and C15 compounds do not easily nucleate, our measurements indicate that they can still contribute to the particle growth at free tropospheric conditions. For the experiments reported here, most likely isoprene oxidation products enhance the growth of particles larger than 15 nm. Additionally, we report on the nucleation rates measured at 1.7 nm (J1.7 nm) and compared with previous studies, we found lower J1.7 nm values, very likely due to the higher α-pinene and ozone mixing ratios used in the present study.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 08-09-2023
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 06-04-2021
DOI: 10.5194/ACP-2021-251
Abstract: Abstract. This study presents a characterization of the hygroscopic growth behaviour and effects of different inorganic seed particles on the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) from the dark ozone-initiated oxidation of isoprene at low NOx conditions. We performed simulations of isoprene oxidation using a gas-phase chemical reaction mechanism based on the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) in combination with an equilibrium gas–particle partitioning model to predict the SOA concentration. The equilibrium model accounts for non-ideal mixing in liquid phases, including liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), and is based on the AIOMFAC model for mixture non-ideality and the EVAPORATION model for pure compound vapour pressures. Measurements from the Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber experiments conducted at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) for isoprene ozonolysis cases, were used to aid in parameterizing the SOA yields at different atmospherically relevant temperatures, relative humidity (RH) and reacted isoprene concentrations. To represent the isoprene ozonolysis-derived SOA, a selection of organic surrogate species is introduced in the coupled modelling system. The model predicts a single, homogeneously mixed particle phase at all relative humidity levels for SOA formation in the absence of any inorganic seed particles. In the presence of aqueous sulfuric acid or ammonium bisulfate seed particles, the model predicts LLPS to occur below ~80 % RH, where the particles consist of an inorganic-rich liquid phase and an organic-rich liquid phase however, with significant amounts of bisulfate and water partitioned to the organic-rich phase. The measurements show an enhancement in the SOA amounts at 85 % RH compared to 35 % RH for both the seed-free and seeded cases. The model predictions of RH-dependent SOA yield enhancements at 85 % RH vs. 35 % RH are 1.80 for a seed-free case, 1.52 for the case with ammonium bisulfate seed and 1.06 for the case with sulfuric acid seed. Predicted SOA yields are enhanced in the presence of an aqueous inorganic seed, regardless of the seed type (ammonium sulfate, ammonium bisulfate or sulfuric acid) in comparison with seed-free conditions at the same RH level. We discuss the comparison of model-predicted SOA yields with a selection of other laboratory studies on isoprene SOA formation conducted at different temperatures and for a variety of reacted isoprene concentrations.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-11-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41557-022-01067-Z
Abstract: Iodine is a reactive trace element in atmospheric chemistry that destroys ozone and nucleates particles. Iodine emissions have tripled since 1950 and are projected to keep increasing with rising O 3 surface concentrations. Although iodic acid (HIO 3 ) is widespread and forms particles more efficiently than sulfuric acid, its gas-phase formation mechanism remains unresolved. Here, in CLOUD atmospheric simulation chamber experiments that generate iodine radicals at atmospherically relevant rates, we show that iodooxy hypoiodite, IOIO, is efficiently converted into HIO 3 via reactions (R1) IOIO + O 3 → IOIO 4 and (R2) IOIO 4 + H 2 O → HIO 3 + HOI + (1) O 2 . The laboratory-derived reaction rate coefficients are corroborated by theory and shown to explain field observations of daytime HIO 3 in the remote lower free troposphere. The mechanism provides a missing link between iodine sources and particle formation. Because particulate iodate is readily reduced, recycling iodine back into the gas phase, our results suggest a catalytic role of iodine in aerosol formation.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 22-09-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41586-022-04605-4
Abstract: New particle formation in the upper free troposphere is a major global source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) 1–4 . However, the precursor vapours that drive the process are not well understood. With experiments performed under upper tropospheric conditions in the CERN CLOUD chamber, we show that nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonia form particles synergistically, at rates that are orders of magnitude faster than those from any two of the three components. The importance of this mechanism depends on the availability of ammonia, which was previously thought to be efficiently scavenged by cloud droplets during convection. However, surprisingly high concentrations of ammonia and ammonium nitrate have recently been observed in the upper troposphere over the Asian monsoon region 5,6 . Once particles have formed, co-condensation of ammonia and abundant nitric acid alone is sufficient to drive rapid growth to CCN sizes with only trace sulfate. Moreover, our measurements show that these CCN are also highly efficient ice nucleating particles—comparable to desert dust. Our model simulations confirm that ammonia is efficiently convected aloft during the Asian monsoon, driving rapid, multi-acid HNO 3 –H 2 SO 4 –NH 3 nucleation in the upper troposphere and producing ice nucleating particles that spread across the mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 12-02-2016
Abstract: Abstract. The growth of aerosol due to the aqueous phase oxidation of sulfur dioxide by ozone was measured in laboratory-generated clouds created in the Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Experiments were performed at 10 and −10 °C, on acidic (sulfuric acid) and on partially to fully neutralised (ammonium sulfate) seed aerosol. Clouds were generated by performing an adiabatic expansion – pressurising the chamber to 220 hPa above atmospheric pressure, and then rapidly releasing the excess pressure, resulting in a cooling, condensation of water on the aerosol and a cloud lifetime of approximately 6 min. A model was developed to compare the observed aerosol growth with that predicted using oxidation rate constants previously measured in bulk solutions. The model captured the measured aerosol growth very well for experiments performed at 10 and −10 °C, indicating that, in contrast to some previous studies, the oxidation rates of SO2 in a dispersed aqueous system can be well represented by using accepted rate constants, based on bulk measurements. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first laboratory-based measurements of aqueous phase oxidation in a dispersed, super-cooled population of droplets. The measurements are therefore important in confirming that the extrapolation of currently accepted reaction rate constants to temperatures below 0 °C is correct.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-06-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-39066-4
Abstract: The interaction between nitrogen monoxide (NO) and organic peroxy radicals (RO 2 ) greatly impacts the formation of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM), the key precursors of secondary organic aerosols. It has been thought that HOM production can be significantly suppressed by NO even at low concentrations. Here, we perform dedicated experiments focusing on HOM formation from monoterpenes at low NO concentrations (0 – 82 pptv). We demonstrate that such low NO can enhance HOM production by modulating the RO 2 loss and favoring the formation of alkoxy radicals that can continue to autoxidize through isomerization. These insights suggest that HOM yields from typical boreal forest emissions can vary between 2.5%-6.5%, and HOM formation will not be completely inhibited even at high NO concentrations. Our findings challenge the notion that NO monotonically reduces HOM yields by extending the knowledge of RO 2 -NO interactions to the low-NO regime. This represents a major advance towards an accurate assessment of HOM budgets, especially in low-NO environments, which prevails in the pre-industrial atmosphere, pristine areas, and the upper boundary layer.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 15-11-2019
DOI: 10.5194/ACP-2019-755
Abstract: Abstract. In the present-day atmosphere, sulfuric acid is the most important vapour for aerosol particle formation and initial growth. However, the growth rates of nanoparticles (
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 27-09-2021
DOI: 10.5194/ACP-21-14275-2021
Abstract: Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) is a significant source of atmospheric particles, affecting climate and air quality. Understanding the mechanisms involved in urban aerosols is important to develop effective mitigation strategies. However, NPF rates reported in the polluted boundary layer span more than 4 orders of magnitude, and the reasons behind this variability are the subject of intense scientific debate. Multiple atmospheric vapours have been postulated to participate in NPF, including sulfuric acid, ammonia, amines and organics, but their relative roles remain unclear. We investigated NPF in the CLOUD chamber using mixtures of anthropogenic vapours that simulate polluted boundary layer conditions. We demonstrate that NPF in polluted environments is largely driven by the formation of sulfuric acid–base clusters, stabilized by the presence of amines, high ammonia concentrations and lower temperatures. Aromatic oxidation products, despite their extremely low volatility, play a minor role in NPF in the chosen urban environment but can be important for particle growth and hence for the survival of newly formed particles. Our measurements quantitatively account for NPF in highly erse urban environments and explain its large observed variability. Such quantitative information obtained under controlled laboratory conditions will help the interpretation of future ambient observations of NPF rates in polluted atmospheres.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 20-01-2021
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 30-01-2023
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1039/D2EA00007E
Abstract: Illustration of how ammonium nitrate formation can cause rapid growth of nucleating particles, increasing survival of particles in polluted conditions.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 20-01-2021
Abstract: Abstract. New-particle formation (NPF) is a significant source of atmospheric particles, affecting climate and air quality. Understanding the mechanisms involved in urban aerosols is important to develop effective mitigation strategies. However, NPF rates reported in the polluted boundary layer span more than four orders of magnitude and the reasons behind this variability subject of intense scientific debate. Multiple atmospheric vapours have been postulated to participate in NPF, including sulfuric acid, ammonia, amines and organics, but their relative roles remain unclear. We investigated NPF in the CLOUD chamber using mixtures of anthropogenic vapours that simulate polluted boundary layer conditions. We demonstrate that NPF in polluted environments are largely driven by the formation of sulfuric acid-base clusters, stabilized by the presence of amines, high ammonia concentrations and lower temperatures. Aromatic oxidation products, despite their extremely low volatility, play a minor role in NPF in the chosen urban environment but can be important for particle growth and hence for the survival of newly formed particles. Our measurements quantitatively account for NPF in highly erse urban environments and explain its large observed variability. Such quantitative information obtained under controlled laboratory conditions will help the interpretation of future ambient observations of NPF rates in polluted atmospheres.
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 06-04-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-05-2020
DOI: 10.1038/S41586-020-2270-4
Abstract: A list of authors and their affiliations appears at the end of the paper New-particle formation is a major contributor to urban smog 1,2 , but how it occurs in cities is often puzzling 3 . If the growth rates of urban particles are similar to those found in cleaner environments (1–10 nanometres per hour), then existing understanding suggests that new urban particles should be rapidly scavenged by the high concentration of pre-existing particles. Here we show, through experiments performed under atmospheric conditions in the CLOUD chamber at CERN, that below about +5 degrees Celsius, nitric acid and ammonia vapours can condense onto freshly nucleated particles as small as a few nanometres in diameter. Moreover, when it is cold enough (below −15 degrees Celsius), nitric acid and ammonia can nucleate directly through an acid–base stabilization mechanism to form ammonium nitrate particles. Given that these vapours are often one thousand times more abundant than sulfuric acid, the resulting particle growth rates can be extremely high, reaching well above 100 nanometres per hour. However, these high growth rates require the gas-particle ammonium nitrate system to be out of equilibrium in order to sustain gas-phase supersaturations. In view of the strong temperature dependence that we measure for the gas-phase supersaturations, we expect such transient conditions to occur in inhomogeneous urban settings, especially in wintertime, driven by vertical mixing and by strong local sources such as traffic. Even though rapid growth from nitric acid and ammonia condensation may last for only a few minutes, it is nonetheless fast enough to shepherd freshly nucleated particles through the smallest size range where they are most vulnerable to scavenging loss, thus greatly increasing their survival probability. We also expect nitric acid and ammonia nucleation and rapid growth to be important in the relatively clean and cold upper free troposphere, where ammonia can be convected from the continental boundary layer and nitric acid is abundant from electrical storms 4,5 .
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
Date: 15-11-2019
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 27-05-2018
DOI: 10.1029/2017JD027978
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 07-12-2018
Abstract: Atmospheric aerosol formation from biogenic vapors is strongly affected by air pollutants, like NO x , SO 2 , and NH 3 .
No related grants have been discovered for RAINER VOLKAMER.