A theoretical study of chemical kinetic control in the scavenging of pollutant gases by cloud and rain drops

Theoretical models that describe the uptake of trace gases by water drops falling at terminal velocity in air have been extended to include the effects of aqueous phase chemical processes that occur on time scales comparable with or greater than that over which the relevant physical scavenging processes operate. In particular, the case of reversible dervative formation by the absorbed species has been treated, and illustrated by application to the absorption of acetaldehyde under conditions prevailing in the atmosphere. In addition, the relative influences of aqueous phase chemistry and of convective-diffusion on the efficiency of the scavenging process have been explored more generally, using the revised models. A brief comparison of the factors controlling the uptake of sulfur dioxide, dichloromethane, and acetaldehyde is presented.     

On the wet removal of gaseous and particulate sulfur and nitrogen species from the atmosphere

The role of trace gases and aerosol particles in the control of sulfur and nitrogen levels in atmospheric precipitation is estimated on the basis of the enrichment factor in the precipitation of these elements relative to particulate matter in the air. By using air and precipitation chemistry data obtained at a Hungarian background air pollution station (K-puszta) it is found that the fraction of ammonium, nitrate and sulfate in precipitation, due to the removal of particulate matter is at least 59, 27 and 31%, respectively. The relationship between wet depositions and air concentrations of different species is determined statistically by applying daily data set. The regression equations obtained make the estimation of the sub-cloud scavenging ratios possible and they give some information on the magnitude of in-cloud scavenging processes. The results show that the in-cloud scavenging is a determining factor for precipitation sulfate, while it is relatively unimportant in the case of ammonium. The sub-cloud scavening of NO₂ and SO₂ is not too significant. However, for HNO₃, and NH₃ it is an effective process. The sub-cloud scavenging ratio of sulfur and nitrogen-containing particles varies around 0.25×10⁶.     

Chemistry of Precipitation Events and Inter-Relationship with Ambient Aerosols over a Semi-Arid Region in Western India

The precipitation events (n = 91), collected for 3 years (2000–2002) during the period of SW-monsoon (Jun–Aug) from an urban site (Ahmedabad, 23.0°N, 72.6°E) of a semi-arid region in western India, are found to exhibit characteristic differences in terms of their solute contents. The low solute (<700 μeq L⁻¹) events are either marked by heavy precipitation amount or successive events collected during an extended rain spell; whereas light precipitation events occurring after antecedent dry period are characterized by high solutes (>700 μeq L⁻¹). The ionic composition of low solute events show large variability due to varying contribution of anthropogenic species (: 1%–74%; : 1%–25%; and : 8%–68%) to the respective ion balance. In high solute events, ionic abundances are dominated by mineral dust (Ca²⁺ and ) and sea-salts (Na⁺ and Cl⁻). These differences are also reflected in the pH of low solute events (range: 5.2–7.4, VWM: 6.4) and high solute events (range: 6.6–8.2, VWM: 7.3). The comparison of Ca²⁺/Na⁺ and nss- ratios (on equivalent basis) in rain and aerosols suggests that the ionic composition of high solute events is influenced by below-cloud scavenging; whereas evidence for in-cloud scavenging is significantly reflected in low solute events. The annual wet-deposition fluxes of and are 330 and 480 mg m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively, in contrast to their corresponding dry-deposition fluxes (14 and 160 mg m⁻² y⁻¹); whereas wet and dry removal of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and are comparable.     

Absorption and desorption of dichloromethane vapor by water drops in air. An experimental test of scavenging theory

An experimental study of the scavenging of dichloromethane vapor by water drops falling at terminal velocity, has been carried out in the UCLA precipitation shaft, in order to test the predictions of theoretical washout models. Whereas good agreement between theory and experiment was found for drops of radius 0.332 mm, computed gas uptake rates for 1.253 and 2.21 mm radius drops were much slower than those measured, just as reported previously for the washout of both sulfur dioxide and acetaldehyde. An analysis shows that theory can be reconciled with all of the experimental data by replacing the compound specific aqueous phase Fickian molecular diffusion coefficient used in the theory, by an effective diffusivity, having a constant value, (3×10^-4 cm² s^-1), independent of the physical and chemical nature of the absorbed species, for all drops of equivalent radii greater than 0.9 mm.     

On the scavenging of SO2 by cloud and raindrops: II. An experimental study of SO2 absorption and desorption for water drops in air

For the purpose of testing our previously described theory of SO₂ scavenging a laboratory investigation was carried out in the UCLA 33 m long rainshaft. Drops with radii between 250 and 2500 m were allowed to come to terminal velocity, after which they passed through a chamber of variable length filled with various SO₂ concentrations in air. After falling through a gas separating chamber consisting of a fluorocarbon gas the drops were collected and analyzed for their total S content in order to determine the rate of SO ₂ absorption.The SO₂ concentration in air studied ranged between 1 and 60% (v). Such relatively large concentrations were necessary due to the short times the drops were exposed to SO₂ in the present setup. The present experimental results were therefore not used to simulate atmospheric conditions but rather to test our previously derived theory which is applicable to any laboratory or atmospheric condition. Comparison of our studies with the results from our theory applied to our laboratory conditions led to predicted values for the S concentration in the drops which agreed well with those observed if the drops had radii smaller than 500 m. In order to obtain agreement between predicted and observed S concentrations in larger drops, an empirically derived eddy diffusivity for SO₂ in water had to be included in the theory to take into account the effect of turbulent mixing inside such large drops.In a subsequent set of experiments, drops initially saturated with S (IV) were allowed to fall through S-free air to determine the rate of SO ₂ desorption. The results of these studies also agreed well with the results of our theoretical model, thus justifying the reversibility assumption made in our theoretical models.In a final set of experiments, the effects of oxidation on SO₂ absorption was studied by means of drops containing various amounts of H₂O₂. For comparable exposure times to SO₂, the S concentration in drops with H₂O₂ was found to be up to 10 times higher than the concentration in drops in which no oxidation occurred.     

On the scavenging of SO2 by cloud and raindrops: I. A theoretical study of SO2 absorption and desorption for water drops in air

An extention of our previous theory for trace gas absorption into freely-falling cloud and raindrops is presented. This theory describes the convective diffusion of a trace gas through air and into a water drop with internal circulation, the drop falling at its terminal velocity. Using flow fields for the circulating water inside and for the moving air outside the drop, obtained by numerical solutions to the Navier—Stokes equation of motion, we numerically solved the convective diffusion equation to determine the uptake of SO₂ by water drops of various sizes, time exposure to the gas phase, and concentration of SO₂ in the gas phase. It was found that for drops of radius larger than 1 mm and relatively low gas concentrations (10 ppb (v)), resistance to gas diffusion lies mainly in the gas phase; while for drops of radius less than 500 m and gas concentrations larger than those found in the atmosphere (1% (v)), the resistance to diffusion lies primarily in the liquid phase. With drop sizes and gas concentrations between these limits, the rate of SO₂ uptake is controlled by a coupled resistance to diffusion inside and outside the drop. In addition to our general model, a simplified version was formulated which allows considerable savings in computer time for evaluation and improved ease of handling without significant loss of accuracy. A comparison between our simplified model and that of Barrie (1978) shows that the boundary-layer approach of Barrie may be a useful alternate approach to estimating trace gas absorption by water drops, provided appropriate values are chosen for the thickness of the boundary layers involved.     

Particulate carbon content in rain at various temperate and tropical locations

Particulate organic and black carbon concentrations in rain were determined in various source or remote regions, in order to gain information on the incorporation of atmospheric carbonaceous particles in hydrometeors. The analyses of rainwaters indicate that all the samples contained particles derived from combustion. Data obtained on a sample basis, show an important areal and temporal variability of the composition of rain carbonaceous particles, a variability which is reported to that of the black carbon to total carbon ratio, Cb/Ct, ranging from 10 to 72%. In addition to the fluctuations of the aerosol atmospheric burden, these variations may be related to alterations of the organic fraction of the particles or their involvement in in-cloud nucleation processes during atmospheric transport. Also, a comparison of the mean relative abundance of black carbon in aerosols and in rainwaters, gives evidence of a partial disappearance of the organic particles, a phenomenon which could be due to their dissolution when incorporated in the hydrometeors. Precipitation scavenging ratio values of black carbon particles, which range from 100 to 370, are similar to those found for sulphate anthropogenic aerosols. Due to their hygroscopic properties and mean size, black carbon aerosols could possibly trace the physico-chemical processes involved in the incorporation of fine combustion particles into hydrometeors. It is also suggested that smoke particles may act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Consequently, emissions of particulates derived from combustion in some tropical or industrial regions could result locally in alteration of cloud albedo and precipitation regimes.     

Covariations in oceanic dimethyl sulfide,its oxidation products and rain acidity at Amsterdam Island in the Southern Indian Ocean

Simultaneous measurements of rain acidity and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) at the ocean surface and in the atmosphere were performed at Amsterdam Island over a 4 year period. During the last 2 years, measurements of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in the atmosphere and of methane sulfonic acid (MSA) and non-sea-salt-sulfate (nss-SO₄ ^2-) in rainwater were also performed. Covariations are observed between the oceanic and atmospheric DMS concentrations, atmospheric SO₂ concentrations, wet deposition of MSA, nss-SO₄ ^2-, and rain acidity. A comparable summer to winter ratio of DMS and SO₂ in the atmosphere and MSA in precipitation were also observed. From the chemical composition of precipitation we estimate that DMS oxidation products contribute approximately 40% of the rain acidity. If we consider the acidity in excess, then DMS oxidation products contribute about 55%.     

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen, sulfur and chloride in Thessaloniki, Greece

In the present study, the wet and dry depositions of particulate NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻ and NH₄⁺ were measured using a wet/dry sampler as a surrogate surface. Gas phase compounds of nitrogen, sulfur and chloride (HNO₃, NH₃, SO₂ and HCl) were measured by an annular denuder system (ADS) equipped with a back up filter for the collection of particles with diameter ≤ 5 μm. Ambient concentrations of NO, NO₂ and SO₂ were also taken into consideration. Sampling was conducted at an urban site in the center of the city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. The presence of the aerosol species was examined by cold/warm period and the possible compounds in dry deposits were also considered. Dry deposition fluxes were found to be well correlated with ambient particle concentrations in order to be used for the calculation of particle deposition velocity. Average particulate deposition velocities calculated were 0.36, 0.20, 0.20 and 0.10 cm s^− 1 for Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻ and NH₄⁺, respectively. Total dry deposition fluxes (gas and particles) were estimated at 3.24 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1 for chloride (HCl + p-Cl), 9.97 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1 for nitrogen oxidized (NO + NO₂ + HNO₃ + p-NO₃), 5.32 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1 for nitrogen reduced (NH₃ + p-NH₄) and 15.77 kg ha^− 1 year^− 1 for sulfur (SO₂ + p-SO₄). 70–90% total dry deposition was due to gaseous species deposition. The contribution of dry deposition to the total (wet + dry) was at the level of 60–70% for sulfur and nitrogen (oxidized and reduced), whereas dry chloride deposition contributed 35% to the total. The dry-to-wet deposition ratio of all the studied species was found to be significantly associated with the precipitation amount, with nitrogen species being better and higher correlated. Wet, dry and total depositions measured in Thessaloniki, were compared with other countries of Europe, US and Asia.     

On the scavenging of gaseous nitrogen compounds by large and small rain drops: II. Wind tunnel and theoretical studies of the simultaneous uptake of NH3, SO2 and CO2 by water drops

An experimental investigation of the simultaneous absorption of NH₃ and SO₂ from the ambient atmosphere by freely falling water drops has been carried out in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the results derived from computations with the Kronig-Brink convective diffusion model and also with a model which assumes a drop to be well mixed at all times. Encouraged by this agreement, these computation schemes for the uptake of gas by single drops where incorporated in a pollution washout model with realistic SO₂, NH₃ and CO₂ gas profiles. This model allows an entire raindrop size distribution to fall through a gas layer. The results of this plume-model show that the SO₂ uptake is strongly dependent on the NH₃ concentration in the atmosphere and on the rainrate. We also find that the small drops contribute more towards the washout of these gases. In the case of simultaneous presence of NH₃ and SO₂, desorption of these gases is negligible.     

The effect of gas-phase chemistry on aqueous-phase sulfur dioxide oxidation rates

The rates and mechanisms of both gas and liquid phase reactions for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide play an important role in the production of atmospheric acids and aerosol particles. Rhodeet al. (1981) concluded that sulfate production rates were highly non-linear functions of sulfur dioxide emission rates. Their modelling study used an HO _x termination mechanism for the HO—SO₂ reaction in the gas-phase. Stockwell and Calvert (1983) determined that one of the products of the overall reaction of HO with sulfur dioxide was an HO₂ radical. The National Research Council (1983) using a version of the Rhodeet al. (1981) model modified to include HO₂ production from the HO—SO₂ reaction concluded that sulfate production becomes much more linear with respect to reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions. However, the cause of this increased linearity was not explained by the National Research Council report. It is demonstrated that the increased linearity is due to the coupling of gas-phases and aqueous phase chemistry. The gas-phase sulfur dioxide oxidation mechanism has a very significant effect on hydrogen perodide production rates.     

On the scavenging of SO2 by cloud and rain drops: IV. A wind tunnel and theoretical study of the absorption of SO2 in the ppb(v) range by water drops in the presence of H2O2

An experimental study involving the Mainz vertical wind tunnel is described where the rate of SO₂ removed from the air by freely suspended water drops was measured for SO₂ concentrations in the gas phase ranging between 50 and 500 ppb, and for various H₂O₂ concentrations in the liquid phase. In a first set of experiments, the pH inside the SO₂ absorbing drops was monitored by means of colour pH indicators added to the drops. In a second set of experiments, the amount of SO₂ scavenged by the drops was determined as sulfate by an ionchromatograph after the drops had been removed from the vertical air stream of the wind tunnel after various times of exposure to SO₂. The results of our experimental study were compared with the theoretical gas diffusion model of Walcek and Pruppacher which was reformulated for the case of SO₂ concentrations in the ppbv(v) range for which the main resistance to diffusion lies in the gas phase surrounding the drop. Excellent agreement between experiment and theory was obtained. Encouraged by this agreement, the theory was used to investigate the rate of sulfate production inside a drop as a function of pH. The sulfate production rate, which includes transport and oxidation, was compared with the production rate based on bulk equilibrium, as cited in the literature.     

Measurements of formaldehyde in the troposphere by tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Measurements of formaldehyde, HCHO, using tunable diode laser abssrption spectroscopy (TDLAS) are reported for four sites in North America. The TDLAS apparatus and its application to these measurements is described. Detection limits of ca. 0.25 ppbv were obtained with a three-minute time resolution. Two distinct types of diurnal behaviour were observed: in the absence of local pollution sources the HCHO diurnal variation was weak and HCHO is not lost during the night. We conclude that the lifetime of HCHO with respect to dry deposition was greater than 50 h at the least-polluted site. At sites downwind of pollution sources, the HCHO peaks near noon and declines in the afternoon. At the least-polluted location, the most probable value for HCHO was 0.25–0.5 ppbv, while hourly averaged values up to 12 ppbv were observed at the other locations.     

On the scavenging of SO2 by large and small rain drops: V. A wind tunnel and theoretical study of the desorption of SO2 from water drops containing S(IV)

An experimental and theoretical study has been carried out to investigate the rate of desorption of SO₂ from water drops falling at terminal velocity in air. The experiments were carried out in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel in which water drops of various sizes containing S(IV) in various concentrations were freely suspended in the vertical airstream of the tunnel. The results of these experiments were compared with the predictions of three theoretical models, and with the experiments of Walceket al. This comparison shows that the predictions of the diffusion model of Kronig and Brink in the formulation given by Walcek and Pruppacher agree well with the experimental results for all relevant large and small rain-drop sizes, and for all considered concentrations of S(IV) inside the drops. In contrast, the predictions of the diffusion model which assumes complete internal mixing inside a drop agrees with the experimental results only if the concentration of S(IV) inside the drop is less than that equivalent of an equilibrium SO₂ concentration of 15 ppbv. At larger concentrations, the theoretical predictions of the model for complete internal mixing progressively deviate from the experimental results. It is further shown that Barrie's double film model can be used to interpret the resistance to diffusion inside a drop in terms of a diffusion boundary layer inside the drop which increases in thickness with decreasing concentration of S(IV). Applying our results to the desorption of SO₂ from small and large rain drops falling below an assumed cloud base, shows that for typical contents of S(IV) inside the drops substantial amounts of SO₂ will desorb from these drops unless H₂O₂ is present in the surrounding air.     

无锡梅雨期湿沉降综合分析

利用2008—2014年梅雨期间酸雨观测资料及2014年6月16—27日降水个例加密采样资料,结合大气污染物资料分析了近7 a无锡梅雨期酸雨特征,研究降水过程中空气污染物、p H值、电导率的变化及降水对污染物的清除作用。结果表明:无锡市梅雨期酸雨年平均p H值呈现逐年递增趋势。降水过程中,颗粒物质量浓度显著降低;气体浓度变化受其自身日变化及排放源影响大于雨水的清除作用;样品的p H值、K值每个过程变化并不一致,K值变化与颗粒物质量浓度变化大致保持一致。降水、风对颗粒物质量浓度影响大于对气体浓度的影响。长时间连续降水时,降水对颗粒污染物的清除存在极限。小时雨量在0~0.5 mm时,降水对颗粒物浓度做负清除,其值反而略有增加;小时雨量在0.6~5.0 mm时,降水对颗粒物质量浓度做正清除;小时雨量达到5.1 mm及以上时,对PM_(2.5)和PM_(2.5-10)做正清除,对PM_(10)做负清除。降水对SO_2有稀释清除作用;对NO_2的稀释作用取决于其开始浓度值;对CO、O_3的清除作用不显著。     

Wet deposition of sulfate in the Inland Sea region of Japan

Precipitation chemistry data derived from a sampling network operated in the Inland Sea model region (June 1984–May 1985) are used as a basis for discussing the wet deposition of sulfate on a regional scale in Japan. Horizontal distribution, seasonal variation, relationship between wet deposition and precipitation amount, sulfate/nitrate ratio, and transport of sulfate from the ocean are discussed. Temporal trends in concentrations of atmospheric sulfur compounds and sulfate wet deposition in the model region are also covered.     

Determination of Sulfur Balance Between the Atmosphere and a Norway Spruce Forest Ecosystem: Comparison of Gradient Dry + Wet and Throughfall Deposition Measurements

Total sulfur deposition was determined above a Norway spruce forest, in Hungary. Two methods were applied, on one hand dry + wet deposition measurements and on the other, throughfall and stemflow deposition estimations have been carried out. Results show: total depositions are 3.3 and 3.2 g S m^–2 yr^–1 determined by dry + wet and throughfall deposition methods, respectively. The share of the dry deposition in the total S-load is 73%. The agreement between the results of the two different methods is good and suggests the needlessness of complicated dry + wet flux measurements, i.e. the total and dry deposition of sulfur compounds to forests can be determined by simple throughfall and wet deposition measurements.     

Sulfur dioxide and dimethyl sulfide in the central Pacific troposphere

Boundary-layer and free-troposphere measurements of sulfur dioxide, dimethyl sulfide, and carbon disulfide were made during transits of the central and southern Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia. Sulfur dioxide was generally less than 100 pptv and highly variable with no correlation with respect to geographic location or altitude. Dimethyl sulfide in the boundary layer had a concentration range of <10 to 200 pptv. Highest concentrations of DMS were in the equatorial region of the southern hemisphere although the concentrations were dependent on location and meteorological regime. In the region of the Fiji Islands several boundary layer samples had SO₂, DMS, and CS₂. In 1989, additional SO₂ measurements were made between Hawaii and the equator and to the west of Hawaii downwind of the Kilauea volcano plumes.Paper submitted to the 7th International Symposium of the Commission for Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution on the Chemistry of the Global Atmosphere held in Chamrousse, France, from 5 to 11 September 1990.     

积云对二氧化硫和硫酸盐气溶胶作用的研究

利用一个冰雹云模式与云化学模式耦合而成的二维积云化学模式,研究对流云的输送、微物理转化、云内化学过程、湿清除对SO2及硫酸盐气溶胶的作用。云化学模式的结果表明,由于SO2在向上输送的过程中可溶解于云水和雨水中,从而阻止了SO2向上部的转移,因此对气相SO2来说,云的输送是一个相当无效的过程,而液相清除起主要作用。硫酸盐气溶胶的收支分析表明,降水清除了1.67 mol的SO2-4,占气溶胶总量的64%,其中液态降水清除了0.72 mol,固态降水清除了0.95 mol,说明了冰相过程在硫沉降中的重要性。     

A Study of DMS Oxidation in the Tropics: Comparison of Christmas Island Field Observations of DMS, SO2, and DMSO with Model Simulations

This study reports comparisonsbetween model simulations, based on current sulfurmechanisms, with the DMS, SO₂ and DMSOobservational data reported by Bandy et al.(1996) in their 1994 Christmas Island field study. For both DMS and SO₂, the model results werefound to be in excellent agreement with theobservations when the observations were filtered so asto establish a common meteorological environment. Thisfiltered DMS and SO₂ data encompassedapproximately half of the total sampled days. Basedon these composite profiles, it was shown thatoxidation of DMS via OH was the dominant pathway withno more than 5 to 15% proceeding through Cl atoms andless than 3% through NO₃. This analysis wasbased on an estimated DMS sea-to-air flux of 3.4 ×10⁹ molecs cm^-2 s^-1. The dominant sourceof BL SO₂ was oxidation of DMS, the overallconversion efficiency being evaluated at 0.65 ± 0.15. The major loss of SO₂ was deposition to theocean's surface and scavenging by aerosol. Theresulting combined first order k value was estimated at 1.6 × 10^-5 s^-1. In contrast to the DMSand SO₂ simulations, the model under-predictedthe observed DMSO levels by nearly a factor of 50. Although DMSO instrument measurement problems can notbe totally ruled out, the possibility of DMSO sourcesother than gas phase oxidation of DMS must beseriously considered and should be explored in futurestudies.