Aqueous phase oligomerization of methyl vinyl ketone through photooxidation – Part 2: Development of the chemical mechanism and atmospheric implications

Abstract

Abstract. We developed a chemical mechanism based on laboratory experiments that have shown efficient oligomerization from methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) in the bulk aqueous phase. Kinetic data are applied (if known) or fitted to the observed MVK decay and oligomer mass increase. The mechanism is then implemented into a multiphase box model that simulates (i) oligomer formation upon uptake of MVK from the gas phase, and (ii) SOA formation from isoprene, as a precursor of MVK and methacrolein (MACR) in the aqueous and gas phases. Model results show that under atmospheric conditions, the oligomer formation rate strongly depends on the availability of dissolved oxygen. If oxygen is consumed too quickly or its solubility is kinetically or thermodynamically limited, oligomerization is accelerated, in agreement with the laboratory studies. The comparison of predicted oligomer formation shows that for most model assumptions (e.g. depending on the assumed partitioning of MVK and MACR), SOA formation from isoprene in the gas phase exceeds aqueous SOA formation by a factor 3–4. However, at high aerosol liquid water content and potentially high partitioning of oligomer precursors into the aqueous phase, SOA formation in both phases might be equally efficient.