Fundamental studies of (photo)chemical reactions at atmospheric interfaces: bridging the gap between nano-scale and macroscale atmospheric chemistry

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The lack of insight involving the interaction between aerosols and clouds constitutes a major knowledge gap in understanding the climate change. Since little is known about the interaction between aerosols and clouds, a research initiative focused on this subject is of major importance. Our research program is thus dedicated to reduce this knowledge gap through selected fundamental studies in physical and (bio)analytical atmospheric chemistry with a focus on interactions of metallic and organic containing aerosols. Two research programs are herein proposed. Each has the potential to contribute significantly to our current state of knowledge and fill in the major gaps in knowledge of aerosol-cloud processes well recognized by the national and international scientific organizations. Building on our pioneering research in the areas of mercury kinetics and dynamics as well as (bio)organic physical and analytical atmospheric chemistry, our research will now move to the next level of complexity. The first research theme involves the understanding of kinetics and mechanism of complex oxidation and reduction reactions of mercury at atmospheric interfaces such as snow/air surfaces. Our aim is also to develop novel analytical techniques for ultra-trace chemical speciation of various mercury compounds in air, noting that there is currently no capability for detailed chemical speciation of this detrimental neurotoxicant and widespread pollutant. The lack of understanding of the chemical structure of mercury compounds precludes scientists to predict the fate of atmospheric mercury depositions adequately, as it occurs in the polar regions during the spring sunrise. The second theme of this proposed research entails the investigation of selected physical and chemical processes involving organic compounds relevant to biological aerosols at snow-air interface. Our research will be performed through interconnected laboratory, field, and numerical modeling studies. 11 scientists in our group of 16 will be fully trained in this multidisciplinary atmospheric chemistry research laboratory. We will potentially contribute to the understanding of key questions of atmospheric relevance in the area of pollution-climate interactions, and of importance to Canada.