Yury Desyaterik

Hygroscopic behavior of substrate-deposited particles studied by micro-FT-IR spectroscopy and complementary methods of particle analysis.

The application of microscopic Fourier transform infrared (micro-FT-IR) spectroscopy combined with complementary methods of particle analysis is demonstrated here for investigations of phase transitions and hygroscopic growth of micron-sized particles. The approach utilizes the exposure of substrate-deposited, isolated particles to humidified nitrogen inside a sample cell followed by micro-FT-IR spectroscopy over a selected sample area. Phase transitions of NaCl, sea salt, NaNO3, and (NH4)2SO4 particles are monitored with this technique to evaluate its utility and applicability for particle hydration studies. The results are found in excellent agreement with literature data in terms of (a) reliable and reproducible detection of deliquescence and efflorescence phase transitions, (b) quantitative measurements of water-to-solute ratios in particles as a function of relative humidity, and (c) changes in the IR spectra resulting from phase transitions and changing relative humidity. Additional methods of particle analysis are employed to complement and assist in the interpretation of particle hygroscopicity data obtained from micro-FT-IR measurements. The analytical approach and the experimental setup presented here are relatively simple, inexpensive, readily available and therefore may be practical for hydration studies of environmental particles collected in both laboratory and field studies.

Correlations between optical, chemical and physical properties of biomass burn aerosols

Correlations between Optical, Chemical and Physical Properties of Biomass Burn Aerosols R. J. Hopkins, 1 K. Lewis, 2 Y. Desyaterik, 3 Z. Wang, 1,4 A. V. Tivanski, 1 W. P. Arnott, 2 A. Laskin, 3 and M. K. Gilles 1,* Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA. Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA. William R. Wiley Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA. Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA. Abstract Aerosols generated from burning different plant fuels were characterized to determine relationships between chemical, optical and physical properties. Single scattering albedo (ω) and Angstrom absorption coefficients (α ap ) were measured using a photoacoustic technique combined with a reciprocal nephelometer. Carbon-to-oxygen atomic ratios, sp 2 hybridization, elemental composition and morphology of individual particles were measured using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy coupled with near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (STXM/NEXAFS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion of X-rays (SEM/EDX). Particles were grouped into three categories based on sp 2 hybridization and chemical composition. Measured ω (0.4 – 1.0 at 405 nm) and α ap (1.0 - 3.5) values displayed a fuel dependence. The category with sp 2 hybridization >80% had values of ω ( 0.8) and α ap (1.0 to 3.5) values, indicating increased absorption spectral selectivity.

Internal structure, hygroscopic and reactive properties of mixed sodium methanesulfonate-sodium chloride particles

Internal structures, hygroscopic properties and heterogeneous reactivity of mixed CH(3)SO(3)Na/NaCl particles were investigated using a combination of computer modeling and experimental approaches. Surfactant properties of CH(3)SO(3)(-) ions and their surface accumulation in wet, deliquesced particles were assessed using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and surface tension measurements. Internal structures of dry CH(3)SO(3)Na/NaCl particles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assisted with X-ray microanalysis mapping, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). The combination of these techniques shows that dry CH(3)SO(3)Na/NaCl particles are composed of a NaCl core surrounded by a CH(3)SO(3)Na shell. Hygroscopic growth, deliquescence and efflorescence phase transitions of mixed CH(3)SO(3)Na/NaCl particles were determined and compared to those of pure NaCl particles. These results indicate that particles undergo a two step deliquescence transition: first at ∼69% relative humidity (RH) the CH(3)SO(3)Na shell takes up water, and then at ∼75% RH the NaCl core deliquesces. Reactive uptake coefficients for the particle-HNO(3) heterogeneous reaction were determined at different CH(3)SO(3)Na/NaCl mixing ratios and RH. The net reaction probability decreased notably with increasing CH(3)SO(3)Na and at lower RH.

Important fossil source contribution to brown carbon in Beijing during winter

Organic aerosol (OA) constitutes a substantial fraction of fine particles and affects both human health and climate. It is becoming clear that OA absorbs light substantially (hence termed Brown Carbon, BrC), adding uncertainties to global aerosol radiative forcing estimations. The few current radiative-transfer and chemical-transport models that include BrC primarily consider sources from biogenic and biomass combustion. However, radiocarbon fingerprinting here clearly indicates that light-absorbing organic carbon in winter Beijing, the capital of China, is mainly due to fossil sources, which contribute the largest part to organic carbon (OC, 67 ± 3%) and its sub-constituents (water-soluble OC, WSOC: 54 ± 4%, and water-insoluble OC, WIOC: 73 ± 3%). The dual-isotope (Δ14C/δ13C) signatures, organic molecular tracers and Beijing-tailored emission inventory identify that this fossil source is primarily from coal combustion activities in winter, especially from the residential sector. Source testing on Chinese residential coal combustion provides direct evidence that intensive coal combustion could contribute to increased light-absorptivity of ambient BrC in Beijing winter. Coal combustion is an important source to BrC in regions such as northern China, especially during the winter season. Future modeling of OA radiative forcing should consider the importance of both biomass and fossil sources.

Quantum chemical prediction of redox reactivity and degradation pathways for aqueous phase contaminants: an example with HMPA.

Models used to predict the fate of aqueous phase contaminants are often limited by their inability to address the widely varying redox conditions in natural and engineered systems. Here, we present a novel approach based on quantum chemical calculations that identifies the thermodynamic conditions necessary for redox-promoted degradation and predicts potential degradation pathways. Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA), a widely used solvent and potential groundwater contaminant, is used as a test case. Its oxidation is estimated to require at least iron-reducing conditions at low to neutral pH and nitrate-reducing conditions at high pH. Furthermore, the transformation of HMPA by permanganate is predicted to proceed through sequential N-demethylation. Experimental validation based on LC/TOF-MS analysis confirms the predicted pathways of HMPA oxidation by permanganate to phosphoramide via the formation of less methylated as well as singly and multiply oxygenated reaction intermediates. Pathways predicted to be thermodynamically or kinetically unfavorable are similarly absent in the experimental studies. Our newly developed methodology will enable scientists and engineers to estimate the favorability of contaminant degradation at a specific field site, suitable approaches to enhance degradation, and the persistence of a contaminant and its reaction intermediates.

Residential Coal Combustion as a Source of Levoglucosan in China

Levoglucosan (LG) has been widely identified as a specific marker for biomass burning (BB) sources and frequently utilized in estimating the BB contribution to atmospheric fine particles all over the world. However, this study provides direct evidence to show that coal combustion (CC) is also a source of LG, especially in the wintertime in Northern China, based on both source testing and ambient measurement. Our results show that low-temperature residential CC could emit LG with emission factors (EF) ranging from 0.3 to 15.9 mg kg-1. Ratios of LG to its isomers, mannosan and galactosan, differ between CC and BB emissions, and the wintertime ratios in Beijing ambient PM2.5 and source-specific tracers including carbon isotopic signatures all indicated a significant contribution from CC to ambient levoglucosan in winter in Beijing. The results suggest that LG cannot be used as a distinct source marker for biomass burning in special cases such as some cities in the northern China, where coal is still widely used in the residential and industrial sectors. Biomass burning sources could be overestimated, although such an over-estimation could vary spatially and temporally.