Oxidation Flow Reactor Results in a Chinese Megacity Emphasize the Important Contribution of S/IVOCs to Ambient SOA Formation

Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation potential of ambient air in Guangzhou, China was investigated using a fielddeployed oxidation flow reactor (OFR). The OFR was used to mimic hours to weeks of atmospheric exposure to hydroxyl (OH) radicals within the 2-3 min residence time. A comprehensive investigation on the variation of VOCs and OVOCs as a function of OH exposure is shown. Substantial formation of organic acids and nitrogen-containing OVOC species were observed. Maximum SOA formation in the OFR was observed following 1-4 equiv days' OH exposure. SOA produced from known/measured VOC/ IVOC precursors such as single-ring aromatics and long-chain alkanes can account for 52-75% of measured SOA under low NOx and 26-60% under high NOx conditions based on laboratory SOA yield parametrizations. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the contribution (8-20%) of long-chain (C8-C20) alkane oxidation to OFR SOA formation was quantified from direct measurement. By additionally estimating contribution from unmeasured semivolatile and intermediate volatility compounds (S/IVOCs) that are committed with C8-C20 alkanes, 64-100% of the SOA formation observed in the OFR can be explained, signifying the important contribution of S/IVOCs such as large cyclic alkanes to ambient SOA.