Article
Chemistry, Physical
Samantha M. Kruse, Jonathan H. Slade
Summary: Plastics in the ocean can transfer to the atmosphere in sea spray aerosol. Bisphenol-A (BPA), a hazardous chemical residue commonly found in consumer plastics, has been consistently measured in both terrestrial and marine air. The degradation of BPA through photochemical and heterogeneous oxidation processes in aerosols is influenced by photosensitizers and reactive chlorinespecies.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qiongqiong Wang, Jian Zhen Yu
Summary: The study focused on the degradation rates of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids in the atmosphere. By conducting laboratory experiments and field measurements, the nighttime decay rates of oleic acid, elaidic acid, and linoleic acid were obtained, providing valuable data for modeling the heterogeneous aging of ambient organic aerosols.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinli Xu, Huifan Deng, Yiqun Wang, Pan Li, Jianqiang Zeng, Hongwei Pang, Xin Xu, Xue Li, Yan Yang, Sasho Gligorovski
Summary: Human daily activities such as cooking and cleaning can affect indoor air quality by emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and forming secondary compounds through reactions with ozone (O3) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). However, our understanding of the formation processes of secondary VOCs is still limited. In this study, we measured the primary VOCs emitted by a commercial floor-cleaning detergent and the secondary compounds formed by the reaction of O3 with the detergent using high-resolution mass spectrometry. We also developed reaction mechanisms to describe the formation of these secondary VOCs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. A. J. Brown, M. R. Patel, S. R. Lewis, J. A. Holmes, G. J. Sellers, P. M. Streeter, A. Bennaceur, G. Liuzzi, G. L. Villanueva, A. C. Vandaele
Summary: A positive vertical correlation between ozone and water ice on Mars is revealed through observation and simulation, with heterogeneous chemistry potentially impacting ozone abundance. This relationship is crucial for understanding ozone variations in the Martian atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Frank Daerden, John N. Crowley, Lori Neary, Michael D. Smith, Mark J. Loeffler, R. Todd Clancy, Michael J. Wolff, Shohei Aoki, Hideo Sagawa
Summary: Current models underestimate ozone concentrations on Mars, and there is a fundamental problem in understanding the atmospheric chemistry. By exploring alternative processes involving multiple phases, improvements can be made in estimating ozone levels.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nora Zannoni, Mengze Li, Nijing Wang, Lisa Ernle, Gabriel Beko, Pawel Wargocki, Sarka Langer, Charles J. Weschler, Glenn Morrison, Jonathan Williams
Summary: This study found that the total OH reactivity of human gaseous emissions is influenced by indoor temperature, humidity, clothing coverage, and indoor ozone concentration, primarily due to reactions between ozone and organic skin-oil constituents. The emission ratios of VOCs and ammonia remained relatively stable under different conditions, but the total OH reactivity exhibited greater diversity with higher temperature and humidity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siddharth Iyer, Matti P. Rissanen, Rashid Valiev, Shawon Barua, Jordan E. Krechmer, Joel Thornton, Mikael Ehn, Theo Kurten
Summary: Oxidation of volatile organic compounds leads to aerosol formation in the atmosphere, but the mechanism of some fast reactions is still unclear. The authors, using quantum chemical modelling and experiments, reveal that in key monoterpenes the cyclobutyl ring that would hinder the reactivity is broken in the early exothermic steps of the reaction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liubin Huang, Elianna S. Frank, Mona Shrestha, Saleh Riahi, Douglas J. Tobias, Vicki H. Grassian
Summary: Oxygenated organic compounds (OOCs) are widely present in indoor environments and their adsorption on indoor surfaces, driven by pi hydrogen bonding and O-H hydrogen bonding interactions, plays a significant role in the removal of OOCs. Indoor surfaces can also act as a reservoir of OOCs due to their slower desorption kinetics compared to other indoor relevant organic compounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yifeng Peng, Pengfei Yu, Robert W. Portmann, Karen H. Rosenlof, Jiankai Zhang, Cheng-Cheng Liu, Jiangtao Li, Wenshou Tian
Summary: The Pinatubo eruption in 1991 released 10-20 Tg of SO2 into the stratosphere, forming sulfate aerosols. Our modeling results show that volcanic heating significantly affects the chemistry in the tropical stratosphere, including NOx and HOx catalytic cycles. The simulated ozone tendency in the tropics is positive at 20 mb and negative at 10 mb. The study finds that three months after the eruption, the ozone tendency due to homogeneous chemistry becomes more important than heterogeneous chemistry.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Janaina P. Nascimento, Henrique M. J. Barbosa, Alessandro L. Banducci, Luciana V. Rizzo, Angel Liduvino Vara-Vela, Bruno B. Meller, Helber Gomes, Andre Cezar, Marco A. Franco, Milena Ponczek, Stefan Wolff, Megan M. Bela, Paulo Artaxo
Summary: In the Amazon rainforest, anthropogenic atmospheric emissions interact with biogenic emissions and result in high concentrations of ozone and secondary organic aerosols. These high concentrations affect a large primary forested area and atmospheric dynamics and photochemistry play a key role in their production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susan Solomon, Kimberlee Dube, Kane Stone, Pengfei Yu, Doug Kinnison, Owen B. Toon, Susan E. Strahan, Karen H. Rosenlof, Robert Portmann, Sean Davis, William Randel, Peter Bernath, Chris Boone, Charles G. Bardeen, Adam Bourassa, Daniel Zawada, Doug Degenstein
Summary: In the 2019/20 austral summer, Australian wildfires emitted smoke into the stratosphere, leading to increased optical extinction in the midlatitudes of the southern hemisphere. The smoke, coated with sulfuric acid and water, caused a decrease in reactive nitrogen concentrations and had an impact on chlorine and reactive hydrogen species, potentially depleting the ozone layer. These findings suggest that if wildfire smoke injection into the stratosphere increases as the world warms, ozone recovery could be impeded.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariana Silva, Ines Oliveira-Inocencio, Rui C. Martins, Rosa Quinta-Ferreira, Marta Gmurek, Anabela Nogueira, Sergio Castro-Silva
Summary: In this study, the optimization of heterogeneous photosensitized oxidation treatment of winery effluents using chitosan carriers immobilized with Zn(II) Phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid was investigated. The effects of initial pH, aeration flow rate, photocatalyst load, and photosensitizer concentration on the treatment process were studied. The best reductions in COD and phenolic content (TPh) were achieved after 30 min of treatment in natural sunlight at an initial pH of 4.0 and an aeration flow rate of 2.8 L/min, with COD reduction of 45% and TPh reduction of 73%. The possibility of reusing the photocatalysts was also evaluated, and it was found that acidic pH allowed for their reuse without leaching of the photosensitizer.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Pooja Sindhu, Nirmalya Ballav
Summary: Depositing thin films of pristine and molecularly doped metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on a lattice-matched substrate could generate electronic heterostructures with well-defined interfaces. In this study, a Cu3BTC2 (top-layer)/TCNQ@Cu3BTC2 (bottom-layer) system was fabricated on a functionalized Au substrate, and clear rectification of electrical current was observed at room temperature. The current rectification ratio was found to be influenced by temperature, with significant improvement at 400 K. These heterostructured thin films of MOFs have promising applications in devices.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Han N. Huynh, V. Faye McNeill
Summary: Calcite aerosols have been suggested as a potential alternative for stratospheric solar radiation management, with minimal negative impact on stratospheric ozone levels and temperature. However, the heterogeneous chemistry of calcite aerosols with trace gases, such as HCl, at stratospheric conditions, particularly their strong reactive uptake capability, needs further examination.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yijing Sun, Qianqian Yao, Weiwei Xing, He Jiang, Yingbo Li, Miao Chen, Xiaoyue Zhang, Weiming Xiong, Wenpeng Zhu, Yue Zheng
Summary: This study reveals the heterogeneous viscoelasticity of OIHP polycrystalline films strongly correlated with the grain structure and explains the impact of organic cation diffusion on chemical distribution and viscoelastic modulus.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abra Penezic, Xinke Wang, Sebastien Perrier, Christian George, Sanja Frka
Summary: This study investigates the abiotic production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from authentic marine diatom Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus at the air-water interface. The results show that the samples can produce saturated oxygenated compounds, unsaturated and functionalized compounds, and enhance surfactant activity under irradiation, indicating photo-transformation of biogenic material at the air-water interface. The highest VOCs flux is derived from lipid material, and the produced VOCs can contribute to particle formation in the atmosphere, potentially impacting global climate.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lin Du, Li Xu, Kun Li, Christian George, Maofa Ge
Summary: Anthropogenic air pollutants play a role in the formation of biogenic secondary organic aerosols (SOA), but this interaction is poorly understood. This study investigated the formation of SOA through chemical interactions between anthropogenic SO2, NH3, and O3 and biogenic S-caryophyllene. The results showed that while SO2 enhanced SOA formation, NH3 weakened this enhancing effect when coexisting with SO2. NH3 neutralized the particle acidity generated by SO2 oxidation, resulting in suppressed formation of certain products. This study highlights the importance of considering NH3 when evaluating the effects of SO2 on SOA formation via anthropogenic-biogenic interactions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tanguy Demeautis, Alexandra Bouyssi, Annelise Chapalain, Johann Guillemot, Patricia Doublet, Alain Geloen, Christian George, Jean Menotti, Olivier Glehen, Gilles Devouassoux, Abderrazzak Bentaher
Summary: Recently, it was found that chronic exposure to secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) results in lung inflammation and tissue destruction in mice. This study provides the first in vivo evidence showing the pathogenic mechanisms of SOAs, including inflammatory cell recruitment, changes in levels of inflammatory mediators, and increased matrix metalloproteinase proteolytic activity. These findings highlight the importance of further research on SOAs and potential therapeutic strategies against SOA-mediated lung injury.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kangwei Li, Yunlong Guo, Sergey A. Nizkorodov, Yinon Rudich, Maria Angelaki, Xinke Wang, Taicheng An, Sebastien Perrier, Christian George
Summary: Hydroxyl radicals (OH) play a crucial role as oxidants in atmospheric chemistry, and their aqueous sources have been mainly attributed to known bulk processes or interfacial chemistry driven by O3 and NO3 radicals. This study provides experimental evidence that OH radicals can be spontaneously produced at the air-water interface of aqueous droplets, even in the absence of known precursors, possibly due to the strong electric field formed at such interfaces. The measured OH production rates in atmospherically relevant droplets are comparable to or higher than those from known bulk sources, particularly in the dark. As aqueous droplets are widespread in the troposphere, this interfacial source of OH radicals is expected to have significant impacts on atmospheric multiphase oxidation chemistry, with implications for air quality, climate, and health.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tracy Zacher, Kelly Endres, Francine Richards, Lisa Bear Robe, Martha Powers, Joseph Yracheta, David Harvey, Lyle G. Best, Reno Red Cloud, Annabelle Black Bear, Steve Ristau, Dean Aurand, Leslie Skinner, Christa Cuny, Marie Gross, Elizabeth Thomas, Ana Rule, Kellogg J. Schwab, Marcia O'Leary, Lawrence H. Moulton, Ana Navas-Acien, Christine Marie George
Summary: Many rural populations, including American Indian communities, are disproportionately exposed to elevated levels of arsenic in their private well water. The Strong Heart Water Study aimed to reduce arsenic exposure among private well users in American Indian Northern Great Plains communities. The study found that the installation of point-of-use arsenic filters and the delivery of health communication programs were effective in reducing water arsenic concentration in study households over a two-year period.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Fatema Tuz Jubyda, Kazi Sumaita Nahar, Indrajeet Barman, Fatema-Tuz Johura, Mohammad Tarequl Islam, Marzia Sultana, Wali Ullah, Jarin Tasnim, Sahitya Ranjan Biswas, Md Mamun Monir, Christine Marie George, Andrew Camilli, Niyaz Ahmed, Allen G. Ross, John D. Clemens, Munirul Alam
Summary: This study analyzed 172 Vibrio cholerae strains associated with endemic cholera in Dhaka from 2015 to 2021. The strains belonged to serogroup O1 and carried El Tor-specific genes, but possessed classical-biotype cholera toxin. The serotypes of the strains varied over time, and multi-drug resistant and extreme drug resistant strains were observed.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Essyllt Louarn, Antoinette Boreave, Guy Raffin, Christian George, Philippe Vernoux
Summary: Urban air pollution is caused by vehicle exhaust emissions, which have been regulated for over 30 years. Specific emission control systems are implemented in different motor types, such as the three-way catalytic converter (TWC) in gasoline vehicles. However, TWCs are only effective at certain temperatures and air-to-fuel ratios. This study analyzes the emission of unregulated VOCs from a mini-TWC under non-optimal conditions and identifies the formation of different VOCs, including carbonated, nitrile, and aromatic compounds.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tao Wang, Carmen Kalalian, Daniel Fillion, Sebastien Perrier, Jianmin Chen, Florent Domine, Liwu Zhang, Christian George
Summary: Sunlit thermokarst ponds are found to be a significant source of atmospheric VOCs, and the emission fluxes of these VOCs may be influenced by the segregation of organics at the air/water interface.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yongzhi Li, Jing Liu, Christian George, Hartmut Herrmann, Mengna Gu, Muhan Yang, Yanjun Wang, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Yuepeng Pan, Joseph David Felix, Hiroto Kawashima, Zhongyi Zhang, Shuguang Wang, Yang Zeng
Summary: Mitigating ammonia emissions is a significant challenge, and accurately identifying the sources of ammonia pollution is crucial for guiding pollution reduction policies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qian Zhang, Pengfei Liu, Yan Wang, Christian George, Tianshu Chen, Shuyi Ma, Yangang Ren, Yujing Mu, Min Song, Hartmut Herrmann, Abdelwahid Mellouki, Jianmin Chen, Yang Yue, Xiaoxi Zhao, Shuguang Wang, Yang Zeng
Summary: Direct emissions of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) are a significant source of hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the troposphere. This study identified livestock farming as an overlooked direct source of HONO and found that direct emissions accounted for 39-45% of HONO production in rural areas across different seasons, highlighting their impact on air quality.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oskari Kangasniemi, Pauli Simonen, Jana Moldanova, Hilkka Timonen, Luis M. F. Barreira, Heidi Hellen, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, Elisa Majamaki, Barbara D'Anna, Grazia Lanzafame, Brice Temime-Roussel, Johan Mellqvist, Jorma Keskinen, Miikka Dal Maso
Summary: Shipping emissions are a major source of atmospheric particulate matter. The volatility of gaseous and particulate ship emissions is poorly understood, but it has the potential to significantly impact emissions evolution and the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA).
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Xiaojuan Huang, Zhe Liu, Yanzhen Ge, Qing Li, Xiaofei Wang, Hongbo Fu, Jian Zhu, Bin Zhou, Lin Wang, Christian George, Yan Wang, Xinfeng Wang, Jixin Su, Likun Xue, Shaocai Yu, Abdewahid Mellouki, Jianmin Chen
Summary: This study reveals that elevated aerosol water content and particles from fossil fuel combustion play a synergistic role in the rapid formation of sulfate and SOAs during winter in northern China. The presence of high aerosol water content promotes the aging process of particles containing EC and facilitates the formation of SOAs. The study also highlights the increased potential for SOA formation from POAs originating from fossil fuel combustion under high humidity conditions.
NPJ CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matthias Karl, Martin Otto Paul Ramacher, Sonia Oppo, Ludovic Lanzi, Elisa Majamaeki, Jukka-Pekka Jalkanen, Grazia Maria Lanzafame, Brice Temime-Roussel, Lise Le Berre, Barbara D'Anna
Summary: Maritime transport is identified as a major contributor to ultrafine particle (UFP) pollution in coastal regions, which poses health risks for people residing in port cities. The emissions from ships can lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) through photo-oxidation, in addition to primary particles. A study conducted in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, France, using a regional-local chemistry transport modeling system, found that local shipping had a significant impact on UFP and SOA concentrations, with a potential contribution ranging from 6-9% for SOA and 27-51% for total particle number concentration in July 2020.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tanguy Demeautis, Alexandra Bouyssi, Alain Geloen, Christian George, Jean Menotti, Olivier Glehen, Gilles Devouassoux, Abderrazzak Bentaher
Summary: Recently, secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) have been recognized as a major component of fine particulate matter. Cell culture studies have shown that SOAs can induce cell oxidative stress, toxicity, and inflammation, but there have been few studies on short-term SOA exposure in animal models. In this study, mice were chronically exposed to SOAs derived from naphthalene for one and two months. Weight monitoring revealed significant mass loss, particularly in female mice, after chronic exposure to SOAs. Importantly, a cytokine antibody microarray approach demonstrated that SOAs induced abnormal lung inflammation similar to that observed in cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This in vivo study provides evidence for the pathogenic role of sub-chronic SOA exposure on human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christine Marie George, Alves Birindwa, Shan Li, Camille Williams, Jennifer Kuhl, Elizabeth Thomas, Ruthly Francois, Amani Sanvura Presence, Bisimwa Rusanga Jean Claude, Patrick Mirindi, Lucien Bisimwa, Jamie Perin, O. Colin Stine
Summary: By conducting a cohort study of 236 children under 5 years old in rural eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, we investigated the association between enteric pathogens, fecal microbes, and child growth. Using quantitative PCR analysis, we found that 66% of children had more than 3 pathogens in their feces. The study revealed that children with Akkermansia muciniphila in their feces showed larger increases in height-for-age z-scores, while children with Cryptosporidium had larger declines in weight-for-height/length z-scores.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
