Atmospheric Chemistry Program Seminar

The peroxy radical chemistry that drives atmospheric nano-particle growth by Joel Thornton
University of Washington

"Organic carbonaceous material is a ubiquitous and often significant fraction of atmospheric particulate mass, and can be responsible for driving the growth of atmospheric nanoparticles formed from nucleation up to cloud condensation nuclei sizes. Development of a molecular-level understanding of the processes governing nano-particle growth by organic condensation has been a long running challenge. I will present new insights into to the chemistry of biogenic hydrocarbons that contribute to this process, using both in situ observations as well as controlled simulation chamber studies. An underlying theme is the role novel instrumentation techniques have had recently in allowing direct observation and quantification of a wide suite of organic molecules and chemical processes contributing to particle growth."