Abstract
In this review the surface chemistry and properties of aqueous atmospheric aerosols are explored. Water plays a major role in scavenging pollutants. Reactions occur on thin water films in atmospheric aerosols. The study of the aerosol wa- ter surface is important to properly account for chemical transformations in the troposphere. The thermodynamics of adsorption of organic molecules and oxidant species on the aqueous surface and, the techniques employed to quantify the adsorption isotherms are summarized. Experimental techniques for elucidating the reactions on the water surface are described. Field and laboratory data for oxidation reactions of compounds at the air-water interface are summarized. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction mechanism is useful in quantifying the reaction rate on the aqueous aerosol sur- face. A hypothesis for the large heterogeneous reaction rate on the water surface over the homogeneous bulk aqueous phase reaction is presented.
Highlights
IntroductionAtmospheric aerosols are colloidal systems with one phase (solid or liquid) dispersed in another phase (gas)
Atmospheric aerosols are colloidal systems with one phase dispersed in another phase
The adsorption and reaction of trace gases and oxidants in the atmospheric aerosol will be influenced by the nature and composition of the aqueous phase
Summary
Atmospheric aerosols are colloidal systems with one phase (solid or liquid) dispersed in another phase (gas). Water effects the aerosol properties in various ways: 1) it determines the nature of aerosol (solid, liquid, or glassy/ amorphous), 2) the hygroscopic growth and size of the aerosol, 3) uptake of gases and oxidants, and 4) multiphase reactions in aerosol droplets. On the other hand, the water forms a thin layer (1 nm to 50 μm) of high specific surface area it provides the site for adsorption and reaction on the aerosol. The adsorption and reaction of trace gases and oxidants in the atmospheric aerosol will be influenced by the nature and composition of the aqueous phase. In the following review I will summarize the various physico-chemical aspects pertaining to the adsorption and reaction of organic molecules on aqueous aerosol droplets and water thin films
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