NSF Org:	AGS Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
Initial Amendment Date:	May 10, 2023
Latest Amendment Date:	May 10, 2023
Award Number:	2302301
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Sylvia Edgerton sedgerto@nsf.gov  (703)292-8522 AGS  Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	June 1, 2023
End Date:	May 31, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$596,127.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$596,127.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2023 = $596,127.00
History of Investigator:	Vicki Grassian (Principal Investigator) vhgrassian@ucsd.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of California-San Diego 9500 GILMAN DR LA JOLLA CA  US  92093-0021 (858)534-4896
Sponsor Congressional District:	50
Primary Place of Performance:	University of California-San Diego 9500 GILMAN DR LA JOLLA CA  US  92093-5004
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	50
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	UYTTZT6G9DT1
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Atmospheric Chemistry
Primary Program Source:	01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s):	152400
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

In this collaborative project, the research team will conduct laboratory experiments and box model simulations to study sulfur compound formation within aerosols. There currently exist gaps in the chemical representation of sulfate aerosol formation in models, especially during haze episodes, due to a lack of experimental data over a range of environmental conditions. This research team seeks to fill this gap. The knowledge gained could be used in large-scale atmospheric chemistry models, which has the potential to positively impact air quality management and climate change research communities. Additionally, three graduate students will be trained during this project, and bilingual (English and Spanish) outreach kits and videos will be developed and shared with non-technical audiences via new and ongoing outreach activities.

The research, which represents a change to the conceptualization of sulfur dioxide atmospheric chemistry, aims to characterize the kinetics and chemical mechanisms for low- to high-oxidation state sulfur conversion pathways within multiphase and aqueous aerosols. The project includes three specific investigations: (1) the investigation of sulfate formation in aqueous aerosols via hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxides, and transition metal ion oxidation pathways under a range of pH and ionic strength conditions using an aerosol optical tweezer-based approach; (2) an investigation of the competition between sulfate and organosulfur formation via sulfate radical initiated formation pathways in aqueous aerosols under different pH, temperature, and ionic strength conditions; and (3) an investigation of sulfur dioxide chemistry within multiphase aqueous droplets that contain reactive metal-containing inclusions such as minerals and coal fly ash particles.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

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