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Mineral dust photochemistry induces nucleation events in the presence of SO2.


ABSTRACT: Large quantities of mineral dust particles are frequently ejected into the atmosphere through the action of wind. The surface of dust particles acts as a sink for many gases, such as sulfur dioxide. It is well known that under most conditions, sulfur dioxide reacts on dust particle surfaces, leading to the production of sulfate ions. In this report, for specific atmospheric conditions, we provide evidence for an alternate pathway in which a series of reactions under solar UV light produces first gaseous sulfuric acid as an intermediate product before surface-bound sulfate. Metal oxides present in mineral dust act as atmospheric photocatalysts promoting the formation of gaseous OH radicals, which initiate the conversion of SO(2) to H(2)SO(4) in the vicinity of dust particles. Under low dust conditions, this process may lead to nucleation events in the atmosphere. The laboratory findings are supported by recent field observations near Beijing, China, and Lyon, France.

SUBMITTER: Dupart Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3529086 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mineral dust photochemistry induces nucleation events in the presence of SO2.

Dupart Yoan Y   King Stephanie M SM   Nekat Bettina B   Nowak Andreas A   Wiedensohler Alfred A   Herrmann Hartmut H   David Gregory G   Thomas Benjamin B   Miffre Alain A   Rairoux Patrick P   D'Anna Barbara B   George Christian C  

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20121203 51


Large quantities of mineral dust particles are frequently ejected into the atmosphere through the action of wind. The surface of dust particles acts as a sink for many gases, such as sulfur dioxide. It is well known that under most conditions, sulfur dioxide reacts on dust particle surfaces, leading to the production of sulfate ions. In this report, for specific atmospheric conditions, we provide evidence for an alternate pathway in which a series of reactions under solar UV light produces first  ...[more]

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