SGER: Characterization of Multifunctional Organic Nitrates in Blodgett Forest During BEARPEX

本研究将重点研究有机硝酸盐化合物形成的新方法，以及挥发性有机碳（VOC）氧化过程中有机硝酸盐形成的量化方法，通常是由羟基（OH）和硝酸盐（NO3）自由基引起的。由于挥发性有机化合物的氧化机制很复杂，并且取决于所讨论的特定挥发性有机化合物，因此有机硝酸盐的产生在种类和丰度方面都有所不同。实验室研究将有助于阐明特定VOC化合物氧化途径中的硝酸盐种类（例如，在OH存在下异戊二烯氧化）。在生物圈对气溶胶和光化学实验的影响（BEARPEX）活动期间，将在一个松林地点获得现场样品，并使用气相色谱/质谱（GC/MS）和其他技术进行分析。该项目的实地阶段将侧重于测量存在的各种有机硝酸盐化合物，其中大多数以前只作为有机硝酸盐的总和进行检测。研究人员将尝试识别和量化比过去研究中更大、更复杂的硝酸盐，以及气溶胶中的硝酸盐化合物。本项目将测试并演示一种检测特定有机硝酸盐的新技术。这项研究的结果也应该有助于提高对基本氧化途径和含活性氮物种的生产的理解。这些物种可以影响氮氧化物（NOx）的区域丰度，从而影响对流层臭氧。一名博士后研究员将通过本项目获得部分资助。

This research will focus on novel methods for the speciation of organic nitrate compounds and the quantification of organic nitrate formation during volatile organic carbon (VOC) oxidation, generally by the hydroxyl (OH) and nitrate (NO3) radicals. Because VOC oxidation mechanisms are complex and depend on the specific VOC in question, the production of organic nitrates varies both in terms of species and abundance. Laboratory studies will help elucidate nitrate species from specific VOC compound oxidation pathways (e.g., isoprene oxidation in the presence of OH). Field samples will be obtained at a pine forest site during the Biosphere Effects on Aerosols and Photochemistry Experiment (BEARPEX) campaign and analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and other techniques. The field phase of the project will focus on measuring the wide range of organic nitrate compounds present, most of which have previously only been detected as a sum of total organic nitrates. The investigators will attempt to identify and quantify larger and more complex nitrates than has been possible in past studies, as well as nitrate compounds in aerosols. This project will test and demonstrate a novel technique for the detection of speciated organic nitrates. Results from this research should also help improve understanding of fundamental oxidation pathways and the production of reactive nitrogen containing species. These species can impact regional abundances of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and thus tropospheric ozone. A postdoctoral research associate will be partially supported through this project.