Effects of Relative Humidity on Time-Resolved Molecular Characterization of Secondary Organic Aerosols from the OH-Initiated Oxidation of Cresol in the Presence of NOx

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c08215
• Publication Date: 2025-01-16T13:08:51Z
• Authors: Cecilie Carstens; David M. Bell; Félix Sari Doré; Jens Top; Clément Dubois; Yanjun Zhang; Sébastien Perrier; Imad El Haddad; Matthieu Riva
• Keywords: Particle (ecology); Cresol

While biomass burning (BB) is the largest source of fine particles in atmosphere, influence relative humidity (RH) and photochemistry on BB secondary organic aerosol (BB-SOA) formation aging remains poorly constrained. These effects need to be addressed better capture comprehend evolution BB-SOA atmosphere. Cresol (C7H8O) used as a proxy investigate these effects. It emitted directly from has been identified significant SOA precursor residential wood-burning emissions. The gas- particle-phase signal intensities are investigated using online mass spectrometers. An increase yield 7% observed when RH rises 0.5–20 70–87%. At elevated RH, nitrogen-containing compounds due processes. This linked net decrease viscosity, enabling formed greater extent at presence nitrogen oxides. results highlight importance particle water content for molecular compounds.