A Kinetic Model for Predicting Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation in Complex Hydrocarbon Mixtures

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Abstract

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) constitute the fine particulate matter fraction arising from the photochemical and oxidative processing of atmospheric hydrocarbons. Being able to predict SOA formation is a needed step forward to more accurate air-shed and air quality models, to predicting the health consequences of small aerosol particles and also their radiative impacts in climate models. This work will continue development of a semi-explicit kinetic model to predict SOA formation in complex mixtures of biogenic and anthropogenic hydrocarbons, ambient oxidants and also existing aerosols under specified atmospheric conditions, as studied in a smog chamber facility at University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).