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

这项研究将集中在有机硝酸盐化合物的形态和挥发性有机碳(VOC)氧化过程中有机硝酸盐生成的定量方面的新方法，通常是通过羟基(OH)和硝酸盐(NO3)自由基。由于VOC氧化机制复杂，并取决于所讨论的特定VOC，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物种(例如，在OH存在下的异戊二烯氧化)。在生物圈对气溶胶的影响和光化学实验(BEARPEX)活动期间，将在松林现场获取野外样品，并使用气相色谱/质谱仪(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广泛存在的有机硝酸盐化合物，其中大多数以前只作为总有机硝酸盐进行检测。研究人员将试图识别和量化比过去研究中可能出现的更大、更复杂的硝酸盐，以及气溶胶中的硝酸盐化合物。该项目将测试和演示一种检测形态有机硝酸盐的新技术。这项研究的结果也应该有助于更好地理解基本的氧化途径和含有活性氮的物种的产生。这些物种可能会影响区域氮氧化物(NOx)的丰度，从而影响对流层臭氧。一名博士后研究助理将通过该项目获得部分支持。

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.