Sources and Impacts of Water-Soluble Iron in Atmospheric Aerosol

尽管水溶性（WS）含铁气溶胶的气候，空气质量和人类健康的重要性，其来源和化学控制其大气浓度还没有得到很好的理解。特别是，一个稀缺的环境观测的特点WS-Fe气溶胶在大多数人口居住的土地。因此，WS-Fe的潜在人体暴露特征很差。虽然大气模型表明，燃烧气溶胶的化学可能调和全球WS-Fe预算，这种化学的基本理解是必要的准确评估和预测WS-Fe的环境影响。 拟议研究计划的目标是全面了解WS-Fe和其他有毒金属在室外和室内气溶胶中的来源和影响。这将通过机械实验室实验和环境观测相结合来实现。初期项目将：1）表征了室外和室内燃烧活动排放的气溶胶中WS-Fe的浓度; 2）确定了室外燃烧气溶胶各种反应引起的化学过程中WS-Fe的产生速率（如酸催化和络合），可以促进铁的溶解; 3）建立一个空气质量监测点，萨克维尔，新玩法;（4）确定了全国WS-Fe环境浓度的主要来源和化学生成机制。 该研究计划不仅将对加拿大以前实施的空气质量法规进行追溯评估（例如逐步淘汰燃煤电厂），还将支持设计更有效的缓解策略，并更准确地预测排放变化对未来的影响。这一点非常重要，因为燃烧活动，如加拿大森林的野火，预计会增加。这项工作的另一个重要影响是评估与取暖和烹饪有关的燃烧活动所排放的室内气溶胶中有毒成分的潜在接触。这项工作的结果与生活在农村社区的加拿大人直接相关，在农村社区，木材燃烧仍然是主要的住宅能源来源。该研究计划还将为新兴的年轻科学家提供跨学科的培训基地。学生不仅将发展多样化的分析技能，还将通过接触实验室实验和实地观察来拓宽他们的研究经验。他们还将有机会与其他部门，机构和政府机构的成员合作。

Despite the importance of water-soluble (WS) Fe-containing aerosol climate, air quality, and human health, the sources and chemistry governing its atmospheric concentrations are not well understood. In particular, a scarce number of ambient observations have characterized WS-Fe-containing aerosol over land on which most human populations reside. Thus, the potential human exposure of WS-Fe is poorly characterized. While atmospheric models have suggested that the chemistry of combustion aerosol may reconcile the global WS-Fe budget, a fundamental understanding of this chemistry is necessary for accurate assessments and predictions of the environmental impacts of WS-Fe. The goal of the proposed research program is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the sources and impacts of WS-Fe and other toxic metals in outdoor and indoor aerosol. This will be achieved through a combination of mechanistic laboratory experiments and ambient observations. Initial projects will: 1) characterize the WS-Fe concentrations in aerosol emitted from both outdoor and indoor combustion activities; 2) determine the production rates of WS-Fe from the chemical processing of outdoor combustion aerosol caused by various reactions (such as acid-catalyzed and complexation) that can promote iron dissolution; 3) establish an air quality monitoring site in Sackville, New Brunswick; and 4) identify the major sources and chemical production mechanisms governing the ambient concentrations of WS-Fe nation-wide. This research program will not only result in retroactive evaluation of previously implemented air quality regulations in Canada (such as phase out of coal-fired power plants), but also support the design of more efficient mitigation strategies and more accurate predictions of future impacts due to changes in emission. This is very important given that combustion activities, such as wildfires in Canadian forests, are expected to increase. Another critical impact of the work is the evaluation of potential exposure to toxic components in indoor aerosol emitted by heating- and cooking-related combustion activities. The results from this work are of direct relevance to Canadians living in rural communities where wood combustion remains a predominant residential energy source. The research program will also provide an interdisciplinary training ground for emerging young scientists. Students will develop not only a diverse analytical skill set, but also broaden their research experience through exposure to both laboratory experiments and field observations. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate with members from other departments, institutions, and government agencies.