Black Carbon Oxidation Project
A large portion of airborne particulate matter is organic matter-much of it condensed aromatic structures-and the fate and effects of this organic fraction are poorly understood. In fact, a recent review of air quality criteria by the EPA said that published information on the health effects of the organic fraction of airborne particulate matter was "conspicuous by its relative absence." We are investigating the effects of atmospheric oxidation on the composition of the soluble fraction of atmospheric particles, and using lung cells in culture to study the potential effects of these compounds.
A survey of the water-soluble compounds in urban dust and diesel exhaust showed a large proportion of oxidized condensed aromatic compounds (see figure below). However, airborne particulate matter collected during a wild-land fire in the Great Dismal Swamp showed a very different distribution of compounds. We are interested in finding out if the condensed aromatics observed in urban dust derive primarily from diesel exhaust.
We are currently working with lab-derived smoke samples from defined sources in order to determine the suite of compounds that are created by different sources.
Students currently working on Black Carbon Project:
Jordan Turner
Publications:
Priest, A.W., and Mazzer, P.A. Molecular characterization of water soluble oxidation products from airborne particulate matter. In
preparation for The Journal of Geophysical Research.
Presentations:
Turner, J. and Mazzer, P. "Molecular characterization of lab-generated biomass-burning products using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry." Third Annual Gathering of Local Chemistry Departments and Undergraduate Poster Session; Norfolk, VA, 2010.
Mohan, D. and Mazzer, P. "Cytotoxic effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particulates on macrophage cells and brain cells." First Annual Gathering of Local Chemistry Departments and Undergraduate Poster Session; Norfolk, VA, 2009.
Willoughby, A.S.; Mazzer, P.A. "Characterization of the organic components of particulate matter in the urban atmosphere using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry." 236th National ACS Meeting; Philadelphia, PA. Aug 17-21, 2008.
