Critical Review
Emerging investigator series: surfactants, films, and coatings on atmospheric aerosol particles: a review
Surfactants alter the physical and chemical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles.
Critical Review
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.
Critical Review
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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).
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
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.
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.