AAAR 36th Annual Conference October 16 - October 20, 2017 Raleigh Convention Center Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Abstract View
Towards a Molecular Understanding of Biogenic Organic Aerosol: From New Particle Formation and Growth to Multi-phase Aging
JOEL A. THORNTON, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Abstract Number: 575 Working Group: Invited by Conference Chair
Abstract Organic carbonaceous material is a ubiquitous and often significant fraction of atmospheric submicron aerosol mass, and can be responsible for driving the growth of ultrafine particles to cloud condensation nuclei sizes. Development of a molecular-level understanding of the processes governing the evolution of organic aerosol mass has been a long running challenge. I will present new insights into the formation and growth of aerosol due to the chemistry of biogenic hydrocarbons, using both in situ observations as well as controlled simulation chamber studies. An underlying theme is the role novel instrumentation techniques have had recently in allowing direct observation and quantification of the molecules and chemical processes contributing to organic aerosol mass formation and properties such as volatility. Example systems will include constraints on the molecules driving growth of recently nucleated particles in the boreal forest, the contribution of isoprene to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass, and the role of anthropogenic nitrogen oxides in the conversion of terpenes to SOA.