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Atmospheric chemistry in stereo: A new look at secondary organic aerosols from isoprene
Author(s) -
Nozière Barbara,
González Nélida J.D.,
BorgKarlson AnnaKarin,
Pei Yuxin,
Redeby Johan Pettersson,
Krejci Radovan,
Dommen Josef,
Prevot Andre S. H.,
Anthonsen Thorleif
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2011gl047323
Subject(s) - isoprene , atmosphere (unit) , aerosol , environmental chemistry , astrobiology , atmospheric chemistry , chemistry , vegetation (pathology) , primary (astronomy) , enantiomer , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , ozone , meteorology , organic chemistry , geology , physics , copolymer , polymer , medicine , pathology , astronomy
Isoprene, a compound emitted by vegetation, could be a major contributor to secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in the atmosphere. The main evidence for this contribution were the 2‐methylbutane‐1,2,3,4‐tetraols, or 2‐methyltetrols (2‐methylerythritol and 2‐methylthreitol) present in ambient aerosols. In this work, the four stereoisomers of these tetraols were analyzed in aerosols from Aspvreten, Sweden. 2‐C‐methyl‐D‐erythritol was found in excess over its enantiomer in the Spring/Summer, by up to 29% in July. This clearly indicated some biological origins for this enantiomer, consistent with its well‐documented production by plants and other living organisms. In addition, a minimum of 20 to 60% of the mass of racemic tetraols appeared from biological origin. Thus, the SOA mass produced by isoprene in the atmosphere is less than what indicated by the 2‐methyltetrols in aerosols. Our results also demonstrate that stereochemical speciation can distinguish primary and secondary organic material in atmospheric aerosols.