Themed collection ES: Atmospheres Hot Papers
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Carbon monoxide as an indicator of indoor air quality
Carbon monoxide is a priority pollutant that is suitable as an indicator for assessing indoor air quality. Monitoring should preferably be embedded in an intelligent network of different sensors.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 291-305
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00006D
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Emerging investigator series: surfactants, films, and coatings on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review
Surfactants alter the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 775-828
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00003B
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Particulate nitrate photolysis in the atmosphere
Particulate nitrate photolysis can lead to the formation of secondary inorganic and organic aerosols that affect climate, air quality, and human health.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 111-127
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00087J
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Methane detection and quantification in the upstream oil and gas sector: the role of satellites in emissions detection, reconciling and reporting
Satellites could revolutionise the way global oil and gas methane is reported. There are many barriers to overcome before satellites can play an active role in methane emissions reporting.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 9-23
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00046B
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Partitioning of secondary organic aerosol onto nanoplastics leading to hygroscopic partially-engulfed particles
Partitioning of secondary organic aerosol from α-pinene onto hydrophobic polystyrene nanoplastics leads to partially-engulfed particles that undergo hygroscopic growth.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 9-17
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00103B
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Spatial and seasonal dynamics of gaseous elemental mercury concentrations over Switzerland observed by a passive air sampler network
Monitoring of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) using passive air samplers at 22 sites across Switzerland informs about actual mean national Hg0 concentrations, differences in Hg0 among rural and urban sites and its seasonal dynamics.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 848-860
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00052H
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Study of heterogeneous chemistry and photochemistry of single sea-spray aerosols containing Hg(II) in air using optical trapping – Raman spectroscopy
The heterogeneous chemical reaction happens on the surface of the optically suspended sea-spray aerosol particle and is monitored via the single-particle Raman spectroscopy.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 911-924
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00053F
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Modelling molecular composition of SOA from toluene photo-oxidation at urban and street scales
Near-explicit chemical mechanisms representing toluene SOA formation are reduced using the GENOA algorithm and used in 3D simulations of air quality over Greater Paris and in the streets of a district near Paris.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 839-847
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00049H
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Quantifying the dominant sources influencing the 2016 particulate matter pollution episode over northern India
Contribution of anthropogenic, biomass-burning and natural sources to the spatiotemporal extent of the episode across northern India.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 655-669
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00174A
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Heterogeneous ozonolysis of alkyl substituted-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AlkPAHs) in the atmosphere
Heterogeneous oxidation of alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (alkPAHs) by ozone is more rapid than their parent analogs (PAHs) and can produce a large variety of potentially toxic oxidation products.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 645-654
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00024B
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Antimicrobial activity of safe concentrations of ozone, hydrogen peroxide, and triethylene glycol in air and surfaces
The application of low and non-toxic concentrations of antimicrobial compounds in indoor air is an interesting strategy to reduce airborne bacteria and fungi thereby reducing infection risk.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 620-633
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00156C
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Temperature, humidity, and ionisation effect of iodine oxoacid nucleation
Raising the ionisation rate (IR) increases the ion concentration, but also amplifies ion losses due to ion–ion recombination, consequently diminishing the formation rate of charged clusters at low HIO3 concentrations.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 531-546
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA00013G
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Pre-monsoon submicron aerosol composition and source contribution in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
The Kathmandu Valley in Nepal suffers from unhealthy air quality, with mean pre-monsoon submicron particulate matter concentration (PM1) of 40 μg m−3 and daily peaks over 75 μg m−3.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 978-999
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00008C
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Aerosol optical properties and brown carbon in Mexico City
65–74% of light extinction is due to light scattering in Mexico City. Organic aerosols dominate both submicron mass loading and light scattering. Brown carbon and black carbon contribute 22% and 78% to the total light absorption, respectively. Road traffic and regional wildfires are the main contributors to light absorption. The aerosols' optical properties exhibit distinctive diurnal and seasonal patterns.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 315-334
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00006G
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The contribution of new particle formation and subsequent growth to haze formation
We investigated the contribution of atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) and subsequent growth of the newly formed particles, characterized by high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 352-361
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00096A
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Particle emissions of a heavy-duty engine fueled with polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME)
OME as sustainable alternative diesel fuel burns without the agglomeration of soot particles which is the case for fossil and paraffinic diesel fuels. Nuclei mode particles are mainly of a volatile nature and do not survive exhaust aftertreatment.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 291-304
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00084E
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Decomposition mechanism of α-alkoxyalkyl-hydroperoxides in the liquid phase: temperature dependent kinetics and theoretical calculations
The decomposition rates of organic hydroperoxides derived from ozonolysis of terpene-alcohol in the presence of short-chain alcohols in aqueous organic media is markedly increased as the temperature is increased.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 241-251
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00076D
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Ice nucleating particles in the Canadian High Arctic during the fall of 2018
Our results suggest that a significant source of ice nucleating particles at Alert, Nunavut, during October and November, was likely ice-free and snow-free land at latitudes >50 °N.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 279-290
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00068C
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A dominant contribution to light absorption by methanol-insoluble brown carbon produced in the combustion of biomass fuels typically consumed in wildland fires in the United States
Even though the majority of brown carbon in biomass-burning emissions is soluble in methanol, the methanol-insoluble fraction dominates light absorption at mid-visible wavelengths.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 182-191
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00065A
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Linking the chemical composition and optical properties of biomass burning aerosols in Amazonia
The absorption efficiency of chemically resolved organic aerosols of Southwestern Amazonia showed strong spectral dependence and significant light absorption in the UV-vis wavelength range indicating the presence of organic species that act as BrC.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 252-269
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00055A
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Volcanic ash ice nucleation activity is variably reduced by aging in water and sulfuric acid: the effects of leaching, dissolution, and precipitation
The ice nucleation activity of volcanic ash can change when exposed to liquid water or aqueous sulfuric acid through a complex interplay of geochemical alteration mechanisms.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 85-99
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00071C
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Hygroscopicity of polycatechol and polyguaiacol secondary organic aerosol in sub- and supersaturated water vapor environments
Polycatechol and polyguaiacol are light-absorbing and water-insoluble compounds that are produced from biomass burning emissions. The aerosol can act as seeds for cloud droplet formation.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2022,2, 24-33
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1EA00063B
About this collection
We are delighted to highlight some of the most impactful and significant work published in Environmental Science: Atmospheres. These papers are already beginning to shape and influence the future direction of the field.