Evolution of Organic Aerosols in the Atmosphere

TLDR

Organic aerosols comprise 20–90 % of tropospheric particulate mass and influence climate and human health, yet their sources, removal pathways, and atmospheric evolution remain poorly characterized. The study presents an integrated framework for organic aerosol compositional evolution in the atmosphere, derived from model results and field and laboratory data. The framework is based on model results and field and laboratory data that simulate the dynamic aging behavior of organic aerosols. The framework shows that particles become more oxidized, hygroscopic, and less volatile with age, leading to improved predictions of climate and air quality. Citation: Jimenez et al.

Abstract

Framework for Change Organic aerosols make up 20 to 90% of the particulate mass of the troposphere and are important factors in both climate and human heath. However, their sources and removal pathways are very uncertain, and their atmospheric evolution is poorly characterized. Jimenez et al. (p. 1525 ; see the Perspective by Andreae ) present an integrated framework of organic aerosol compositional evolution in the atmosphere, based on model results and field and laboratory data that simulate the dynamic aging behavior of organic aerosols. Particles become more oxidized, more hygroscopic, and less volatile with age, as they become oxygenated organic aerosols. These results should lead to better predictions of climate and air quality.