Rapid Formation of Sulfuric Acid Particles at Near-AtmosphericConditions

摘要

We investigated the formation of new particles in a laboratory study, starting from H sub(2)SO sub(4) produced in situ through the reaction of OH radicals with SO sub(2). Newly formed particles were observed for H sub(2)SO sub(4) concentrations above 7 x 10 super(6) per cubic centimeter. At 293 Kelvin, a rough estimate yielded a nucleation rate of 0.3 to 0.4 particles per cubic centimeter per second for [ similar to ]10 super(7) particles per cubic centimeter of H sub(2)SO sub(4) (particle size [=>] 3 nanometers). These findings are in agreement with observations from the atmosphere. The results demonstrate that under laboratory conditions similar to the atmosphere, particle formation occurs at atmospheric H sub(2)SO sub(4) concentration levels.