New study reveals chemical transformations of ambient organic aerosols
Deciphering the molecular composition of organic aerosols, or OA, in the atmosphere is essential for understanding how these complex aerosols transform and impact the environment and climate forcing. The chemical composition of OA influences how atmospheric radiation is absorbed. For example, the presence of nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOC) in OA may have a profound effect on its light-absorption properties, affecting how OA influences regional haze and Earth's climate. OA sources, their atmospheric transformation, and radiative effects are core sources of uncertainty in today's atmospheric climate models. At present, the understanding of OA composition is limited to the extent that their impact cannot be accurately predicted and mitigated.