Wang, Sainan, Newland, Mike J., Rickard, Andrew R. orcid.org/0000-0003-2203-3471 et al. (11 more authors) (2025) Largely underestimated production of isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) through high-NO oxidation pathways in urban areas. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science. 256. ISSN 2397-3722
Abstract
Isoprene is the dominant nonmethane volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted into the atmosphere globally, with important atmospheric chemistry impacts on air quality and climate. One crucial intermediate in its gas-phase oxidation is isoprene epoxydiol (IEPOX), which contributes significantly to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). It is generally accepted that IEPOX is efficiently formed in remote forested regions with a sufficiently low NO/HO2 ratio. Here, we show that the oxidation of isoprene hydroxynitrates (IHN) can be an alternative, efficient, NO-driven pathway leading to the formation of IEPOX in urban areas where moderate to high NO concentrations exist. Field measurements from the megacity of Beijing show that this pathway contributes to more than 50% of IEPOX production during the morning and early afternoon. The results improve our understanding of the NOx dependence of SOA formation in polluted areas, where anthropogenic emissions can significantly enhance biogenic SOA formation.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | isoprene,Air quality,SOA composition,CHEMICAL MECHANISM DEVELOPMENT |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Chemistry (York) The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Economics and Related Studies (York) The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Centre for Health Economics (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2025 16:10 |
Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2025 16:10 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-025-01151-4 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1038/s41612-025-01151-4 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:228831 |