Ammonia - Organic Chemistry and Secondary Organic Aerosol Yield in the Troposphere

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This project addresses the important question of whether gas phase reactions between ammonia and organic acids can lead to enhanced formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) through the formation of amino-organic compounds. A series of laboratory experiments will be performed to measure and characterize - under differing temperature and relative humidity regimes - SOA formation rate and mechanism in the presence of ammonia for a variety of atmospherically relevant hydrocarbons. This exploratory study could potentially reconcile some important outstanding issues with respect to SOA formation pathways leading to observed fine particulate mass concentrations - of especially high relevance as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgates national ambient air quality standards for fine particulate matter. The educational component supports a postdoctoral researcher, graduate student and two undergraduates at the host institution.