Formation of Sodium Chloride on the Surface of Sulfate-Rich Gobi Desert Salt in Response to Water Adsorption.

ABSTRACT: Dust storms in arid regions transport desert salts and dust, affecting geochemical processes, atmospheric chemistry, climate, and human health. This study examines how the gas-salt interface composition of desert salt changes with varying relative humidity (RH), using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Ion chromatography analysis of desert salt indicates it is predominantly composed of sulfate, sodium, and magnesium ions, with traces of calcium, chloride, nitrate, and potassium ions. APXPS and NEXAFS surface analyses show that, at 0% RH, the gas-salt interface primarily features Na₂SO₄, with smaller amounts of MgSO₄ and a trace o

SUBMITTER: Faure N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11555638 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature