Oxidation Flow Reactor Results in a Chinese Megacity Emphasize the Important Contribution of S/IVOCs to Ambient SOA Formation

Abstract

Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation potential of ambient air in Guangzhou, China was investigated using a field-deployed oxidation flow reactor (OFR). The OFR was used to mimic hours to weeks of atmospheric exposure to hydroxyl (OH) radicals within the 2–3 min residence time. A comprehensive investigation on the variation of VOCs and OVOCs as a function of OH exposure is shown. Substantial formation of organic acids and nitrogen-containing OVOC species were observed. Maximum SOA formation in the OFR was observed following 1–4 equiv days’ OH exposure. SOA produced from known/measured VOC/IVOC precursors such as single-ring aromatics and long-chain alkanes can account for 52–75% of measured SOA under low NOx and 26–60% under high NOx conditions based on laboratory SOA yield parametrizations. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the contribution (8–20%) of long-chain (C8–C20) alkane oxidation to OFR SOA formation was quantified from direct measurement. By additionally estimating contribution from unmeasured semivolatile and intermediate volatility compounds (S/IVOCs) that are committed with C8–C20 alkanes, 64–100% of the SOA formation observed in the OFR can be explained, signifying the important contribution of S/IVOCs such as large cyclic alkanes to ambient SOA.