MOCHA · Molecular Characterisation of Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols.
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-09-01 → 2019-08-31
- EU contribution
- €187,866
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-CAR
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Molecular Characterisation of Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols.
Atmospheric aerosols have a large impact on Earth’s climate and human health. However, there is of a lack of detailed information on their sources and chemical composition. Research efforts in this area need to focus on organic matter, which dominates aerosol composition and is comprised of thousands of individual chemical compounds. Only a small fraction (<20% by mass) of the organic matter has been characterised at the molecular level. The major portion of the unknown species are secondary organic aerosols (SOA), which are formed in the atmosphere from chemical processing of organic compounds emitted from both natural and anthropogenic (man-made) sources. The overall aim of the MOCHA project was to utilize state-of-the-art analytical tools for the Molecular Characterisation of Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols. The scientific research objectives were: 1. To characterise the molecular composition of organic aerosols in ambient urban air. 2. To assess the relative importance of the various sources of organic aerosols. 3. To characterise the molecular composition of SOA generated from important anthropogenic precursors. 4. To identify the key chemical species and processes leading to anthropogenic SOA formation. These research objectives have been achieved through a novel combination of field measurements, atmospheric simulation chamber studies and laboratory-based chemical analysis. A particular emphasis was placed on aerosols produced from domestic solid fuel burning, which is a dominant source of air pollution across Europe. Detailed chemical characterisation of aerosols showed that emissions from the combustion of solid fuels (coal, peat and wood) contained at least 2000 individual organic compounds. Comparison with samples collected in three rural towns showed that over 90% of the compounds could be attributed to coal/peat/wood combustion, confirming that air quality in these locations is overwhelmingly dominated by domestic solid fuel burning. Furthermore, high concentrations of toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the ambient air samples, highlighting the urgent need for introduction of policies to reduce solid fuel combustion for the protection of public health.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) accounts for a large fraction of atmospheric aerosol mass and can have significant effects on atmospheric composition, human health, and climate. However, considerable uncertainty exists on the chemical composition of SOA, as well as the sources and processes leading to its formation in the atmosphere. In this project state-of-the-art analytical techniques will be used to determine the molecular composition of secondary organic aerosols in ambient urban air and the identity of the precursor volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These field measurements will provide detailed information on VOCs and particle composition that can be linked to specific pollution sources, such as vehicle emissions and biomass burning. A detailed programme of simulation chamber experiments will also be conducted to investigate the formation of SOA from anthropogenic VOCs that most strongly influenced aerosol composition at the measurement site. The simulation chamber experiments will generate novel information on the reaction pathways for anthropogenic SOA formation that can be incorporated into atmospheric models dealing with both air quality and climate. Overall, the unique information obtained from this combined field and laboratory study is expected to contribute to a greatly improved understanding of the composition, sources and processes leading to organic aerosol formation in the atmosphere, and in turn, the impact of SOA on human health and climate. During this project, the Fellow will receive high quality training through research that will significantly improve scientific knowledge and provide a strong platform for building an independent research career. A wide range of complementary and transferable skills will also be developed to enhance future career prospects.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK · CorkCoordinatorIreland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union