Sulfate (SO(4)) and its precursors are significant components of the atmosphere, with both natural and anthropogenic sources. Recently, our triple-isotope ((16)O, (17)O, (18)O) measurements of atmospheric sulfate have provided specific insights into the oxidation pathways leading to sulfate, with important implications for models of the sulfur cycle and global climate change. Using similar isotopic measurements of aerosol sulfate in a polluted marine boundary layer (MBL) and primary sulfate (p-SO(4)) sampled directly from a ship stack, we quantify the amount of p-SO(4) found in the atmosphere from ships. We find that ships contribute between 10% and 44% of the non-sea-salt sulfate found in fine [diameter (D) < 1.5 microm) particulate matter in coastal Southern California. These fractions are surprising, given that p-SO(4) constitutes approximately 2-7% of total sulfur emissions from combustion sources [Seinfed JH, Pandis SN (2006) Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Wiley-Interscience, New York)]. Our findings also suggest that the interaction of SO(2) from ship emissions with coarse hydrated sea salt particles may lead to the rapid removal of SO(2) in the MBL. When combined with the longer residence time of p-SO(4) emissions in the MBL, these findings suggest that the importance of p-SO(4) emissions in marine environments may be underappreciated in global chemical models. Given the expected increase of international shipping in the years to come, these findings have clear implications for public health, air quality, international maritime law, and atmospheric chemistry.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0805255105 | DOI Listing |
Chem Asian J
January 2025
Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Chemistry, Nangal Road, 140001, Rupnagar, INDIA.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and its subsequent catalytic fixation into usable compounds represent a potential approach for addressing the energy problem and the implications of global warming. Hence, it is necessary to develop effective catalytic systems required for the transformation of CO2 into valuable chemicals/fuels. Herein, we rationally designed a hydroxyl-functionalized porous organic framework (OH-POF) consisting of both acidic (OH) as well as basic N sites for the transformation of CO2 using epoxides for the production of cyclic carbonates (CCs), a useful commodity chemical under environmental-friendly, metal/solvent/co-catalyst-free conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Lower atmospheric pressure affects biologically relevant physical parameters such as gas partial pressure and concentration, leading to increased water vapor diffusivity and greater soil water content loss through evapotranspiration. This might impact plant photosynthetic activity, resource allocation, water relations, and growth. However, the direct impact of low air pressure on plant physiology is largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China.
Algal decomposition plays an important role in affecting phosphorus (P) release from sediments in eutrophic lakes under global warming. Yet how rising air temperature affect endogenous P release from sediments during the algal decomposition is poorly understood. In this study, effect of increasing air temperature on endogenous P release was investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Biochem Biotechnol
January 2025
Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Cyanobacteria are advantageous hosts for industrial applications toward achieving sustainable society due to their unique and superior properties such as atmospheric CO fixation via photosynthesis. However, cyanobacterial productivities tend to be weak compared to heterotrophic microbes. To enhance them, it is necessary to understand the fundamental metabolic mechanisms unique to cyanobacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Phys Chem A
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Saitama University, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan.
Rate coefficients for ion-polar-molecule reactions between acetonitrile molecules (CHCN) and nitrogen molecular ions (N), which are of importance to the upper atmospheric chemistry of Saturn's moon Titan, were measured for the first time at low translational temperatures. In the experiments, the reaction between sympathetically cooled N ions embedded in laser-cooled Ca Coulomb crystals and velocity-selected acetonitrile molecules generated using a wavy Stark velocity filter was studied to determine the reaction rate coefficients. Capture rate coefficients calculated by the Su-Chesnavich approach and by the perturbed rotational state theory considering the rotational state distribution of CHCN were compared to the experimental rate coefficients.
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