2023

Ozone pollution mitigation strategy informed by long-term trends of atmospheric oxidation capacity
November 27, 2023

Ozone pollution mitigation strategy informed by long-term trends of atmospheric oxidation capacity

Tropospheric ozone pollution is a critical air-quality concern in China. However, the most effective mitigation approach remains unclear, with prioritizing the reduction of volatile organic compounds or nitrogen oxides (NOX) currently still under debate.

Comprehensive multiphase chlorine chemistry in the box model CAABA/MECCA: implications for atmospheric oxidative capacity
December 13, 2023

Comprehensive multiphase chlorine chemistry in the box model CAABA/MECCA: implications for atmospheric oxidative capacity

Tropospheric chlorine chemistry can strongly impact the atmospheric oxidation capacity and composition, especially in urban environments.

How non-equilibrium aerosol chemistry impacts particle acidity: the GMXe AERosol CHEMistry (GMXe–AERCHEM, v1.0) sub-submodel of MESSy
November 15, 2023

How non-equilibrium aerosol chemistry impacts particle acidity: the GMXe AERosol CHEMistry (GMXe–AERCHEM, v1.0) sub-submodel of MESSy

Aqueous-phase chemical processes in clouds, fog, and deliquescent aerosols are known to alter atmospheric composition and acidity significantly.

The importance of plant-water stress for predictions of ground-level ozone in a warm world
October 13, 2023

The importance of plant-water stress for predictions of ground-level ozone in a warm world

Evapotranspiration is important for Earth’s water and energy cycles as it strongly affects air temperature, cloud cover and precipitation.

Atmospheric photooxidation and ozonolysis of sabinene: reaction rate coefficients, product yields, and chemical budget of radicals
October 11, 2023

Atmospheric photooxidation and ozonolysis of sabinene: reaction rate coefficients, product yields, and chemical budget of radicals

New publication in Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry about the oxidation of sabinene

Emulating lateral gravity wave propagation in a global chemistry–climate model (EMAC v2.55.2) through horizontal flux redistribution
October 6, 2023

Emulating lateral gravity wave propagation in a global chemistry–climate model (EMAC v2.55.2) through horizontal flux redistribution

The columnar approach of gravity wave (GW) parameterisations in weather and climate models has been identified as a potential reason for dynamical biases in middle-atmospheric dynamics. For example, GW momentum flux (GWMF) discrepancies between models and observations at 60∘ S arising through the lack of horizontal orographic GW propagation are suspected to cause deficiencies in representing the Antarctic polar vortex.

Measurement report: Carbonyl sulfide production during dimethyl sulfide oxidation in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR
September 26, 2023

Measurement report: Carbonyl sulfide production during dimethyl sulfide oxidation in the atmospheric simulation chamber SAPHIR

Carbonyl sulfide (OCS), the most abundant sulfur gas in the Earth's atmosphere, is a greenhouse gas, a precursor to stratospheric sulfate aerosol, and a proxy for terrestrial CO2 uptake. Estimates of important OCS sources and sinks still have significant uncertainties and the global budget is not considered closed.

Development of a multiphase chemical mechanism to improve secondary organic aerosol formation in CAABA/MECCA (version 4.5.6-rc.1)
May 23, 2023

Development of a multiphase chemical mechanism to improve secondary organic aerosol formation in CAABA/MECCA (version 4.5.6-rc.1)

During the last decades, the impact of multiphase chemistry on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) has been demonstrated to be key in explaining lab experiments and field measurements.

Introduction to Atmospheric Simulation Chambers and Their Applications
April 24, 2023

Introduction to Atmospheric Simulation Chambers and Their Applications

Atmospheric simulation chambers have been deployed with various research goals for more than 80 years. In this chapter, an overview of the various applications, including emerging new applications, is given.

Comparison of isoprene chemical mechanisms under atmospheric night-time conditions in chamber experiments: evidence of hydroperoxy aldehydes and epoxy products from NO3 oxidation
March 10, 2023

Comparison of isoprene chemical mechanisms under atmospheric night-time conditions in chamber experiments: evidence of hydroperoxy aldehydes and epoxy products from NO3 oxidation

The gas-phase reaction of isoprene with the nitrate radical (NO3) was investigated in experiments in the outdoor SAPHIR chamber under atmospherically relevant conditions specifically with respect to the chemical lifetime and fate of nitrato-organic peroxy radicals (RO2).

Upper-tropospheric slightly ice-subsaturated regions: frequency of occurrence and statistical evidence for the appearance of contrail cirrus
February 16, 2023

Upper-tropospheric slightly ice-subsaturated regions: frequency of occurrence and statistical evidence for the appearance of contrail cirrus

Microphysical, optical, and environmental properties of contrail cirrus and natural cirrus were investigated.

Electrochemical sensors on board a Zeppelin NT: in-flight evaluation of low-cost trace gas measurements
January 24, 2023

Electrochemical sensors on board a Zeppelin NT: in-flight evaluation of low-cost trace gas measurements

We report in situ measurements of air pollutant concentrations within the planetary boundary layer on board a Zeppelin NT in Germany. We highlight the in-flight evaluation of electrochemical sensors that were installed inside a hatch box located on the bottom of the Zeppelin. Results from this work emphasize the potential of these sensors for other in situ airborne applications, e.g., on board unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Airborne glyoxal measurements in the marine and continental atmosphere: comparison with TROPOMI observations and EMAC simulations
January 25, 2023

Airborne glyoxal measurements in the marine and continental atmosphere: comparison with TROPOMI observations and EMAC simulations

We report on airborne limb and nadir measurements of vertical profiles and total vertical column densities (VCDs) of glyoxal (C2H2O2) in the troposphere, which were performed aboard the German research aircraft HALO (High Altitude and LOng Range) in different regions and seasons around the globe between 2014 and 2019.

Air Pollution Unable to Intensify Storms via Warm-Phase Invigoration
January 9, 2023

Air Pollution Unable to Intensify Storms via Warm-Phase Invigoration

According to the hypothesis of aerosol invigoration, the higher concentration of aerosols in polluted air intensifies storms. A leading theory for explaining such a relationship is warm-phase invigoration, in which cloudy updrafts that are more polluted more readily condense water vapor onto liquid drops, thereby releasing latent heat faster, leading to higher buoyancies and higher updraft speeds.

Optical receiver characterizations and corrections for ground-based and airborne measurements of spectral actinic flux densities
January 18, 2023

Optical receiver characterizations and corrections for ground-based and airborne measurements of spectral actinic flux densities

Solar actinic radiation in the ultraviolet and visible range (UV/VIS) perpetuates atmospheric photochemistry by inducing photolysis processes which form reactive radical species. Photolysis frequencies are rate constants that quantify the rates of photolysis reactions and therefore constitute important parameters for quantitative analyses.

Mineral dust aerosol impacts on global climate and climate change
January 17, 2023

Mineral dust aerosol impacts on global climate and climate change

Mineral dust aerosols impact the energy budget of Earth through interactions with radiation, clouds, atmospheric chemistry, the cryosphere and biogeochemistry. In this Review, we summarize these interactions and assess the resulting impacts of dust, and of changes in dust, on global climate and climate change.

Comparison between Spatially Resolved Airborne Flux Measurements and Emission Inventories of Volatile Organic Compounds in Los Angeles
October 4, 2023

Comparison between Spatially Resolved Airborne Flux Measurements and Emission Inventories of Volatile Organic Compounds in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a major hotspot for ozone and particulate matter air pollution in the United States. Ozone and PM2.5 in this region have not improved substantially for the past decade, despite a reduction in vehicular emissions of their precursors, NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Volatile organic compound fluxes in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley – spatial distribution, source attribution, and inventory comparison
October 12, 2023

Volatile organic compound fluxes in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley – spatial distribution, source attribution, and inventory comparison

The San Joaquin Valley is an agricultural region in California that suffers from poor air quality. Since traffic emissions are decreasing, other sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaining importance in the formation of secondary air pollutants. Using airborne eddy covariance, we conducted direct, spatially resolved flux observations of a wide range of VOCs in the San Joaquin Valley during June 2021 at 23–36 ∘C.

Direct observations of NOx emissions over the San Joaquin Valley using airborne flux measurements during RECAP-CA 2021 field campaign
August 31, 2023

Direct observations of NOx emissions over the San Joaquin Valley using airborne flux measurements during RECAP-CA 2021 field campaign

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are principle components of air pollution and serve as important ozone precursors. As the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) experiences some of the worst air quality in the United States, reducing NOx emissions is a pressing need, yet quantifying current emissions is complicated due to a mixture of mobile and agriculture sources.

Measurement report: Airborne measurements of NOx fluxes over Los Angeles during the RECAP-CA 2021 campaign
October 16, 2023

Measurement report: Airborne measurements of NOx fluxes over Los Angeles during the RECAP-CA 2021 campaign

Nitrogen oxides (NOx=NO+NO2) are involved in most atmospheric photochemistry, including the formation of tropospheric ozone (O3). While various methods exist to accurately measure NOx concentrations, it is still a challenge to quantify the source and flux of NOx emissions.

Drought re-routes soil microbial carbon metabolism towards emission of volatile metabolites in an artificial tropical rainforest
July 31, 2023

Drought re-routes soil microbial carbon metabolism towards emission of volatile metabolites in an artificial tropical rainforest

Drought impacts on microbial activity can alter soil carbon fate and lead to the loss of stored carbon to the atmosphere as CO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here we examined drought impacts on carbon allocation by soil microbes in the Biosphere 2 artificial tropical rainforest by tracking 13C from position-specific 13C-pyruvate into CO2 and VOCs in parallel with multi-omics.

Inferring the diurnal variability of OH radical concentrations over the Amazon from BVOC measurements
September 9, 2023

Inferring the diurnal variability of OH radical concentrations over the Amazon from BVOC measurements

The atmospheric oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) by OH radicals over tropical rainforests impacts local particle production and the lifetime of globally distributed chemically and radiatively active gases.

A better representation of VOC chemistry in WRF-Chem and its impact on ozone over Los Angeles
November 27, 2023

A better representation of VOC chemistry in WRF-Chem and its impact on ozone over Los Angeles

The declining trend in vehicle emissions has underscored the growing significance of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from Volatile Chemical Products (VCP).

Methane Emissions from Dairy Operations in California’s San Joaquin Valley Evaluated Using Airborne Flux Measurements
November 24, 2023

Methane Emissions from Dairy Operations in California’s San Joaquin Valley Evaluated Using Airborne Flux Measurements

State inventories indicate that dairy operations account for nearly half of California’s methane budget. Recent analyses suggest, however, that these emissions may be underestimated, complicating efforts to develop emission reduction strategies.

Effects of drought and recovery on soil volatile organic compound fluxes in an experimental rainforest
August 21, 2023

Effects of drought and recovery on soil volatile organic compound fluxes in an experimental rainforest

Drought can affect the capacity of soils to emit and consume biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here we show the impact of prolonged drought followed by rewetting and recovery on soil VOC fluxes in an experimental rainforest.

Last Modified: 09.08.2024