Superoxide Formation from Aqueous Reactions of Biogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols

Environ Sci Technol. 2021 Jan 5;55(1):260-270. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c07789. Epub 2020 Dec 22.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a central role in aqueous-phase processing and health effects of atmospheric aerosols. Although hydroxyl radical (OH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are regarded as major oxidants associated with secondary organic aerosols (SOA), the kinetics and reaction mechanisms of superoxide (O2•-) formation are rarely quantified and poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a dominant formation of O2•- with molar yields of 0.01-0.03% from aqueous reactions of biogenic SOA generated by OH photooxidation of isoprene, β-pinene, α-terpineol, and d-limonene. The temporal evolution of OH and O2•- formation is elucidated by kinetic modeling with a cascade of aqueous reactions including the decomposition of organic hydroperoxides, OH oxidation of primary or secondary alcohols, and unimolecular decomposition of α-hydroxyperoxyl radicals. Relative yields of various types of ROS reflect a relative abundance of organic hydroperoxides and alcohols contained in SOA. These findings and mechanistic understanding have important implications on the atmospheric fate of SOA and particle-phase reactions of highly oxygenated organic molecules as well as oxidative stress upon respiratory deposition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants*
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Superoxides*

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants
  • Superoxides
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Hydrogen Peroxide