Four- and Five-Carbon Dicarboxylic Acids Present in Secondary Organic Aerosol Produced from Anthropogenic and Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

To better understand precursors of dicarboxylic acids in ambient secondary organic aerosol (SOA), we studied C4–C9 dicarboxylic acids present in SOA formed from the oxidation of toluene, naphthalene, α-pinene, and isoprene. C4–C9 dicarboxylic acids present in SOA were analyzed by offline derivatization gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We revealed that C4 dicarboxylic acids including succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, DL-tartaric acid, and meso-tartaric acid are produced by the photooxidation of toluene. Since meso-tartaric acid barely occurs in nature, it is a potential aerosol tracer of photochemical reaction products. In SOA particles from toluene, we also detected a compound and its isomer with similar mass spectra to methyltartaric acid standard; the compound and the isomer are tentatively identified as 2,3-dihydroxypentanedioic acid isomers. The ratio of detected C4–C5 dicarboxylic acids to total toluene SOA mass had no significant dependence on the initial VOC/NOx condition. Trace levels of maleic acid and fumaric acid were detected during the photooxidation of naphthalene. Malic acid was produced from the oxidation of α-pinene and isoprene. A trace amount of succinic acid was detected in the SOA produced from the oxidation of isoprene.

Vertical profiles of volatile organic compounds and fine particles in atmospheric air by using aerial drone with miniaturized samplers and portable devices

“…As can be seen in Table 1, five main acids, succinic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid, were identified and quantified. Succinic acid was observed almost in every sample and its higher prevalence could possibly be explained by the fact that it can be formed from common biogenic and anthropogenic precursors such as isoprene and toluene (Sato et al, 2021). The aromatic acids such as benzoic acid and phthalic acid were also detected in the samples.…”

Analytical methodologies for oxidized organic compounds in the atmosphere

“…5,12,26,27,30,44 Malic acid has been proposed to be a higher-generation oxidation product of terpenes based on a high correlation with terpene markers in field studies and in chamber experiments. 12,45 However, it is not a very specific marker as it can be formed from other precursors from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. 45…”

“…12,45 However, it is not a very specific marker as it can be formed from other precursors from anthropogenic and biogenic sources. 45…”

Hydrogen-Bonding Interactions of Malic Acid with Common Atmospheric Bases

“…In general, the Amazon basin is an important source of aerosols dominated mainly by organic matter in both fine and coarse fractions. − Biomass burning and haphazard land use also interfere with the natural cycle of the region. The high solubility of MA also facilitates the formation of aerosol particles in humid climatic conditions. , A study on the glyoxal uptake of aerosol made from MA demonstrated the importance of acidic conditions in formation of organic aerosols …”

“…The high solubility of MA also facilitates the formation of aerosol particles in humid climatic conditions. 65,66 A study on the glyoxal uptake of aerosol made from MA demonstrated the importance of acidic conditions in formation of organic aerosols. 67 In the present work, we investigate the hydrogen-bonded complexes of MA with several naturally occurring organic amines such as methylamine (MMA, CH 3 NH 2 ), dimethylamine [DMA, (CH 3 ) 2 NH], trimethylamine [TMA, (CH 3 ) 3 N], and ammonia (NH 3 ) to analyze some of their quantumchemical properties that might be relevant in the context of the atmospheric nucleation process.…”