Secondary organic aerosols from anthropogenic and biogenic precursors

U. Baltensperger*, M. Kalberer, J. Dommen, D. Paulsen, M. R. Alfarra, H. Coe, R. Fisseha, A. Gascho, M. Gysel, S. Nyeki, M. Sax, M. Steinbacher, A. S.H. Prevot, S. Sjögren, E. Weingartner, R. Zenobi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

204 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from the photooxidation of an anthropogenic (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) and a biogenic (α-pinene) precursor was investigated at the new PSI smog chamber. The chemistry of the gas phase was followed by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, while the aerosol chemistry was investigated with aerosol mass spectrometry, ion chromatography, laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy, along with volatility and hygroscopicity studies. Evidence for oligomer formation for SOA from both precursors was given by an increasing abundance of compounds with a high molecular weight (up to 1000 Da) and by an increasing thermal stability with increasing aging time. The results were compared to data obtained from ambient aerosol samples, revealing a number of similar features.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)265-278
Number of pages14
JournalFaraday Discussions
Volume130
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

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