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Evaluating the Applicability of a Real-Time Highly Oxygenated Organic Molecule (HOM)-Based Indicator for Ozone Formation Sensitivity at a Boreal Forest Station

Zhang, Jiangyi ; Zhao, Jian ; Wollesen de Jonge, Robin LU ; Sarnela, Nina ; Roldin, Pontus LU and Ehn, Mikael (2024) In Environmental Science and Technology Letters 11(11). p.1227-1232
Abstract

Ground-level ozone (O3), formed via complex photochemistry involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is a critical secondary pollutant and oxidant. Therefore, understanding whether the formation of O3 is NOx- or VOC-limited is essential for effective air quality management. Recently, we demonstrated that the distribution of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) can be used as a real-time indicator to determine the sensitivity of the O3 formation regime in monoterpene oxidation chamber studies. The key reactions between peroxy radicals and NO that form O3 also determine the branching between nitrate-containing and non-nitrate HOM species.... (More)

Ground-level ozone (O3), formed via complex photochemistry involving nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is a critical secondary pollutant and oxidant. Therefore, understanding whether the formation of O3 is NOx- or VOC-limited is essential for effective air quality management. Recently, we demonstrated that the distribution of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) can be used as a real-time indicator to determine the sensitivity of the O3 formation regime in monoterpene oxidation chamber studies. The key reactions between peroxy radicals and NO that form O3 also determine the branching between nitrate-containing and non-nitrate HOM species. However, validation outside laboratory conditions is lacking. This study evaluates the HOM-based indicator’s applicability at a boreal forest station in Hyytiälä, Finland. Using model scenarios with doubled NOx or VOC emissions as references, we find that the monoterpene HOM-based indicator can determine O3 formation sensitivity regimes at this site. Our results indicate that this rural background station is primarily NOx-limited, especially during elevated temperatures with high VOC concentrations but is often in a transition region between the two limit regions. Future studies are needed to assess the applicability of this HOM-based indicator at other sites and times, especially where monoterpenes are not the dominant VOC species.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
boreal forest, highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs), ozone formation sensitivity, ozone pollution, real-time HOM-based indicator
in
Environmental Science and Technology Letters
volume
11
issue
11
pages
6 pages
publisher
The American Chemical Society (ACS)
external identifiers
  • scopus:85207880884
ISSN
2328-8930
DOI
10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00733
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c80592a8-0c1a-4317-a551-3d4d624d031d
date added to LUP
2024-12-11 10:01:04
date last changed
2024-12-11 12:48:46
@article{c80592a8-0c1a-4317-a551-3d4d624d031d,
  abstract     = {{<p>Ground-level ozone (O<sub>3</sub>), formed via complex photochemistry involving nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>x</sub>) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is a critical secondary pollutant and oxidant. Therefore, understanding whether the formation of O<sub>3</sub> is NO<sub>x</sub>- or VOC-limited is essential for effective air quality management. Recently, we demonstrated that the distribution of highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs) can be used as a real-time indicator to determine the sensitivity of the O<sub>3</sub> formation regime in monoterpene oxidation chamber studies. The key reactions between peroxy radicals and NO that form O<sub>3</sub> also determine the branching between nitrate-containing and non-nitrate HOM species. However, validation outside laboratory conditions is lacking. This study evaluates the HOM-based indicator’s applicability at a boreal forest station in Hyytiälä, Finland. Using model scenarios with doubled NO<sub>x</sub> or VOC emissions as references, we find that the monoterpene HOM-based indicator can determine O<sub>3</sub> formation sensitivity regimes at this site. Our results indicate that this rural background station is primarily NO<sub>x</sub>-limited, especially during elevated temperatures with high VOC concentrations but is often in a transition region between the two limit regions. Future studies are needed to assess the applicability of this HOM-based indicator at other sites and times, especially where monoterpenes are not the dominant VOC species.</p>}},
  author       = {{Zhang, Jiangyi and Zhao, Jian and Wollesen de Jonge, Robin and Sarnela, Nina and Roldin, Pontus and Ehn, Mikael}},
  issn         = {{2328-8930}},
  keywords     = {{boreal forest; highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs); ozone formation sensitivity; ozone pollution; real-time HOM-based indicator}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{11}},
  pages        = {{1227--1232}},
  publisher    = {{The American Chemical Society (ACS)}},
  series       = {{Environmental Science and Technology Letters}},
  title        = {{Evaluating the Applicability of a Real-Time Highly Oxygenated Organic Molecule (HOM)-Based Indicator for Ozone Formation Sensitivity at a Boreal Forest Station}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00733}},
  doi          = {{10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00733}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}