RUI: The Chemistry of Atmospheric Peroxides

在大气以及雨、雪和雾中检测到无机和有机过氧化物，并且有证据表明它们的浓度一直在增加。过氧化物干扰植物的正常生长，并在云水中二氧化硫转化为硫酸的过程中发挥重要作用。光化学空气污染涉及由阳光产生的自由基引发的一系列复杂的化学反应。这些反应既消耗又产生过氧化物，是积极研究的主题，旨在制定有效的污染控制策略。过氧化氢浓度随着太阳强度的增加而增加，但有机过氧化物的日剖面显示了另一种来源，可能涉及臭氧和生物碳氢化合物。这项研究将包括实验室和实地研究，旨在更好地了解过氧化物的发生和化学。该项目的科学家将开发利用荧光检测高效液相色谱法检测单个过氧化物痕量浓度的能力，并研究单个过氧化物沉积到草原和森林树冠的速率。一所小型四年制大学的本科化学专业将参与本“本科院校研究”项目的各个方面。

Inorganic and organic peroxides are detected in the atmosphere and in rain, snow and fog, and there is evidence that their concentration has been increasing. Peroxides interfere with normal plant growth, and play an important role in the conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid in cloud water. Photochemical air pollution involves a complex set of chemical reactions initiated by sunlight-generated free radicals. These reactions both consume and generate peroxides, and are the subject of active research aimed at developing effective pollution control strategies. Hydrogen peroxide concentration increases with solar intensity, but diurnal profiles of organic peroxides suggest an alternative source, possibly involving ozone and biogenic hydrocarbons. This research will involve laboratory and field studies aimed at a better understanding of peroxide occurrence and chemistry. The project scientists will develop the ability to detect trace concentrations of individual peroxides using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and study the rate at which individual peroxides deposit to grasslands and forest canopies. Undergraduate chemistry majors at a small four-year college will participate in all aspects of this Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) project.