"Atmospheric Aerosol Processing: Impacts on Composition, Reactivity, Hygroscopicity and Optical Properties"

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Although atmospheric particles are of crucial importance to both human health and global climate, their detailed chemistry in the atmosphere is not well characterized. In particular, once particles are formed, they are subject to atmospheric oxidative processes that may alter their composition and chemical properties. To place climate and air quality models on a firm fundamental foundation, the physical chemistry of these processes needs to be understood. And so, it is proposed to conduct a suite of novel experiments to provide a unified view of the mechanism of atmospheric aerosol oxidation and the potential impacts on the atmosphere. Specific projects will assess the rates of aqueous phase chemistry that occur in aerosol and clouds, the impact of oxidative processing on trace gas uptake kinetics, the impact of oxidative processing on the release rates of volatile organic and halogen species, and the role that oxidation plays in affecting the ability of particulates to act as the sites for cloud nucleation. State of the art instrumentation through a new Canada Foundation for Innovation infrastructure grant will be used in this research program, providing trainees a background in advanced technical methods. In addition new, transformative methodologies for conducting oxidation experiments on particles will be developed. Specific collaborations with Environment Canada and members of the Canadian Aerosol Research Network, as well as experiments conducted in the field and with ambient samples, will provide diverse interactions and learning experiences. The overall impact of the projects in the proposal will further develop our fundamental understanding of how anthropogenic activities are impacting our natural environment.