Understanding the Contribution of Methanesulfonic Acid to New Particle Formation and Growth in the Troposphere

这个项目的重点是研究大气中新粒子形成的具体途径。这一途径涉及到甲烷磺酸（MSA）的反应，这是一种广泛存在于对流层低层的化合物，在新粒子的形成中可能比以前已知的更为重要。在预测新粒子形成方面的改进将提高我们更好地了解对人类健康和福祉至关重要的大气污染的一些影响的能力，并提供帮助减轻这些影响的方法。该项目的主要目标是：(1)定量研究多功能胺的混合物和选定胺与NH3的混合物对MSA反应中新粒子形成（NPF）和生长的可能协同作用；(2)研究由生物源性挥发性有机化合物氧化产生的低挥发性高氧化有机物在这些系统中的作用；(3)探测H2SO4与MSA对NPF的相互作用；(4)将机制理解转化为大气模式。这个项目将导致NPF速率作为前体浓度函数的参数化。研究结果将被纳入社区多尺度空气质量（CMAQ）空气质量模型，以更好地了解MSA在大气中的重要性。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project is focused on investigating a specific pathway for the formation of new particles in the atmosphere. This pathway involves reactions of methanesulfonic acid (MSA), a compound that is widespread throughout the lower troposphere and one that may be more significant in new particle formation than previously known. Improvements in predicting new particle formation will enhance our ability to better understand a number of the effects of atmospheric pollution central to human health and welfare and provide ways to help mitigate these impacts.The major objectives of this project are to: (1) quantitatively investigate possible synergies between mixtures of multifunctional amines and mixtures of selected amines and NH3 on new particle formation (NPF) and growth from MSA reactions; (2) investigate the role of low volatility highly oxidized organics produced from the oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds on these systems; (3) probe interactions between H2SO4 and MSA for NPF; and (4) translate the mechanistic understanding into atmospheric models.This project will result in the parameterization of the rate of NPF as a function of precursor concentrations. The results will be incorporated into the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) air quality model to better understand the importance of MSA in the atmosphere.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.