Issue 6, 2024

Heterogeneous ozonolysis of alkyl substituted-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AlkPAHs) in the atmosphere

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) encompass a range of organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkyl-substituted PAHs (AlkPAHs), and others. PAHs have been extensively studied due to their environmental and health implications. AlkPAHs, however, have received relatively less attention, despite recent evidence suggesting their greater abundances in ambient air. Given their prevalence and potential risks, investigating the atmospheric transformation of AlkPAHs is crucial. This work focuses on the heterogeneous oxidation of AlkPAHs, specifically addressing the influence of alkyl groups on reaction kinetics. Oxidation by gas phase ozone was conducted on quartz filters, which serve as models for silica surfaces on which PACs can deposit with minimal chemical interactions. The results reveal that AlkPAHs react faster with ozone than PAHs do, with reaction rates increasing with higher alkyl group substitutions. Furthermore, oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) were formed during the oxidation of 1-methylpyrene, with greater diversity than those from pyrene. These products are more polar and potentially more toxic than parent compounds. In conclusion, this research advances our understanding of PAC oxidation, focusing on AlkPAHs' heterogeneous oxidation, the influence of alkyl groups, and the formation of OPAHs. These insights have significant implications for air quality, health risk assessments, and the fate of PACs in the environment.

Graphical abstract: Heterogeneous ozonolysis of alkyl substituted-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AlkPAHs) in the atmosphere

Supplementary files

Transparent peer review

To support increased transparency, we offer authors the option to publish the peer review history alongside their article.

View this article’s peer review history

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 2 2024
Accepted
25 4 2024
First published
25 4 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 645-654

Heterogeneous ozonolysis of alkyl substituted-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AlkPAHs) in the atmosphere

V. Zaherddine, E. Galarneau and A. W. H. Chan, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024, 4, 645 DOI: 10.1039/D4EA00024B

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications, without requesting further permission from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given and it is not used for commercial purposes.

To request permission to reproduce material from this article in a commercial publication, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party commercial publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements