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Publication Date

2024-5

First Advisor

Andrew Berke

Second Advisor

Lesley-Ann Giddings

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Chemistry

Keywords

aerosols, imidazoles, MS-ESI, pyrodoxial, SOA

Abstract

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are a significant component of total atmospheric organic particulate matter. Yet a lot of uncertainty remains regarding the composition of SOA formed through cloud processing and other aqueous reactions. We conducted aqueous phase ESI-MS experiments of glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and hydroxy acetone with a variety of ammonium salts to simulate these reaction conditions. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify chemical compositional trends across the samples. I also report the identification of the formation of a biological cofactor under abiotic conditions. Pyridoxal, also known as vitamin B6, was identified to be a major contributor to the 300-400 nm absorbance band and observed in mixtures of methyl glyoxal/ hydroxy acetone and ammonium salts. Future statistical analyses methods were additionally proposed for further study.

Rights

©2024 Cecilia Wheeler. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

Comments

51 pages: color illustrations, charts. Includes bibliographical references (pages 47-51).

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