The reactions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) with the nitrate radicals (NO 3 ) are major nighttime sources of organic nitrates and secondary organic aerosols (SOA) in regions influenced by BVOC and anthropogenic emissions. In this study, the formation of gas-phase highly oxygenated organic molecules-organic nitrates (HOM-ON) from NO 3 -initiated oxidation of a representative monoterpene, β-pinene, was investigated in the SAPHIR chamber (Simulation of Atmosphere PHotochemistry In a large Reaction chamber). Six monomer (C = 7−10, N = 1−2, O = 6−16) and five accretion product (C = 17−20, N = 2−4, O = 9−22) families were identified and further classified into firstor second-generation products based on their temporal behavior. The time lag observed in the peak concentrations between peroxy radicals containing odd and even number of oxygen atoms, as well as between radicals and their corresponding termination products, provided constraints on the HOM-ON formation mechanism. The HOM-ON formation can be explained by unimolecular or bimolecular reactions of peroxy radicals. A dominant portion of carbonylnitrates in HOM-ON was detected, highlighting the significance of unimolecular termination reactions by intramolecular H-shift for the formation of HOM-ON. A mean molar yield of HOM-ON was estimated to be 4.8% (−2.6%/+5.6%), suggesting significant HOM-ON contributions to the SOA formation.

High mass concentrations of atmospheric lead particles are frequently observed in the Delhi, India metropolitan area, although the sources of lead particles are poorly understood. In this study, particles sampled across Delhi (August - December 2008) were analyzed by computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (CCSEM-EDX) to improve our understanding of the spatial and physicochemical variability of lead-rich particles (>90% lead). The mean mass concentration of lead-rich particles smaller than 10 μm (PM10) was 0.7 μg/m(3) (1.5 μg/m(3) std. dev.) with high variability (range: 0-6.2 μg/m(3)). Four samples (16% of 25 samples) with PM10 lead-rich particle concentrations >1.4 μg/m(3) were defined as lead events and studied further. The temporal characteristics, heterogeneous spatial distribution, and wind patterns of events, excluded regional monsoon conditions or common anthropogenic sources from being the major causes of the lead events. Individual particle composition, size, and morphology analysis indicate informal recycling operations of used lead-acid batteries as the likely source of the lead events. This source is not typically included in emission inventories, and the observed isolated hotspots with high lead concentrations could represent an elevated exposure risk in certain neighborhoods of Delhi.

Orographic snowfall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is an important source of water for California and can vary significantly on an annual basis. The microphysical properties of orographic clouds and subsequent formation of precipitation are impacted, in part, by aerosols of varying size, number, and chemical composition, which are incorporated into clouds formed along the Sierra barrier. Herein, the physicochemical properties and sources of insoluble residues and soluble ions found in precipitation samples were explored for three sites of variable elevation in the Sierra Nevada during the 2012–2013 winter season. Residues were characterized using a suite of physicochemical techniques to determine the size‐resolved number concentrations and associated chemical composition. A transition in the aerosol sources that served as cloud seeds or were scavenged in‐cloud and below‐cloud was observed as a function of location and elevation. Anthropogenic influence from the Central Valley was dominant at the two lowest elevation sites (1900 and 2200 m above mean sea level (AMSL)), whereas long‐range transported mineral dust was a larger contributor at the highest elevation site where cleaner conditions were observed (2600 m AMSL). The residues and soluble ions observed provide insight into how multiple aerosol sources can impact cloud and precipitation formation processes, even over relatively small spatial scales. The transition with increasing elevation to aerosols that serve as ice nucleating particles may impact the properties and extent of snowfall in remote mountain regions where snowpack provides a vital supply of water.

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA), formed by oxidation of volatile organic compounds, substantially influence air quality and climate. Highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOMs), particularly those formed from biogenic monoterpenes, contribute a large fraction of SOA. During daytime, hydroxyl radicals initiate monoterpene oxidation, mainly by hydroxyl addition to monoterpene double bonds. Naturally, related HOM formation mechanisms should be induced by that reaction route, too. However, for α-pinene, the most abundant atmospheric monoterpene, we find a previously unidentified competitive pathway under atmospherically relevant conditions: HOM formation is predominately induced via hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radicals, a generally minor reaction pathway. We show by observations and theoretical calculations that hydrogen abstraction followed by formation and rearrangement of alkoxy radicals is a prerequisite for fast daytime HOM formation. Our analysis provides an accurate mechanism and yield, demonstrating that minor reaction pathways can become major, here for SOA formation and growth and related impacts on air quality and climate.

Abstract. Nighttime nitrate radical(NO3)-initiated oxidation of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) such as monoterpenes is important for the formation and growth of secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which has significant impact on climate, air quality and human health. In SOA formation and growth from the oxidation of monoterpenes by NO3, highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM) may be crucial, but their formation pathways and role in aerosol formation have yet to be clarified. Among monoterpenes, limonene is of research interest for its high emission globally and high SOA yield. In this work, HOM formation in the reaction of limonene with nitrate radical was investigated in the SAPHIR chamber (Simulation of Atmospheric PHotochemistry In a large Reaction chamber). About 280 HOM products were identified, grouped into 6 monomer series (each including 3 families) and one family, 11 dimer families and 3 trimer families. Both closed-shell products and open-shell peroxy radicals (RO2•) were observed, and many of them have not been reported previously. Monomers and dimers accounted for over 90 % of HOM concentrations. In the most abundant monomer series – C10H15–17NO6–14, carbonyl products outnumbered hydroxyl products, indicating the importance of the unimolecular RO2• termination pathway. Both RO2• autoxidation and alkoxy-peroxy pathways were found to be important processes leading to HOM. Time-dependent concentration profiles of monomer products containing nitrogen showed mainly second-generation formation patterns. Dimers were likely formed via the accretion reaction of two monomer RO2•, and HOM-trimers via the accretion reaction between monomer RO2• and dimer RO2•. Trimers are suggested to play an important role in new particle formation (NPF) observed in our experiment. A HOM yield of 1.5 % (+1.7 %/−0.7 %) was estimated considering only first-generation products. SOA mass growth could be reasonably explained by HOM condensation on particles assuming irreversible uptake of extremely low volatility organic compounds (ELVOC) and low volatility organic compounds (LVOC). This work provides evidence for the important role of HOM formed via the limonene + NO3 reaction in NPF and SOA growth.