Correction: New particle formation and growth from methanesulfonic acid, trimethylamine and water.

Correction for 'New particle formation and growth from methanesulfonic acid, trimethylamine and water' by Haihan Chen et al., Phys. Chem.

The future of airborne sulfur-containing particles in the absence of fossil fuel sulfur dioxide emissions.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), formed from oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted during fossil fuel combustion, is a major precursor of new airborne particles, which have well-documented detrimental effects on health, air quality, and climate. Another precursor is methanesulfonic acid (MSA), produced simultaneously with SO2 during the atmospheric oxidation of organosulfur compounds (OSCs), such as dimethyl sulfide. In the present work, a multidisciplinary approach is used to examine how contributions of H2SO4 and MSA to particle formation will change in a large coastal urban area as anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions of SO2 decline.

New particle formation and growth from methanesulfonic acid, trimethylamine and water.

New particle formation from gas-to-particle conversion represents a dominant source of atmospheric particles and affects radiative forcing, climate and human health. The species involved in new particle formation and the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Although sulfuric acid is commonly recognized as driving new particle formation, increasing evidence suggests the involvement of other species.

Infrared studies of the reaction of methanesulfonic acid with trimethylamine on surfaces.

Organosulfur compounds generated from a variety of biological as well as anthropogenic sources are oxidized in air to form sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid (MSA). Both of these acids formed initially in the gas phase react with ammonia and amines in air to form and grow new particles, which is important for visibility, human health and climate. A competing sink is deposition on surfaces in the boundary layer.

Simplified mechanism for new particle formation from methanesulfonic acid, amines, and water via experiments and ab initio calculations.

Airborne particles affect human health and significantly influence visibility and climate. A major fraction of these particles result from the reactions of gaseous precursors to generate low-volatility products such as sulfuric acid and high-molecular weight organics that nucleate to form new particles. Ammonia and, more recently, amines, both of which are ubiquitous in the environment, have also been recognized as important contributors.

Surprising formation of p-cymene in the oxidation of α-pinene in air by the atmospheric oxidants OH, O3, and NO3.

Anthropogenic sources release into the troposphere a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including aromatic hydrocarbons, whose major sources are believed to be combustion and the evaporation of fossil fuels. An important question is whether there are other sources of aromatics in air. We report here the formation of p-cymene [1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl) benzene, C6H4(CH3)(C3H7)] from the oxidation of α-pinene by OH, O3, and NO3 at 1 atm in air and 298 K at low (<5%) and high (70%) relative humidities (RH).