CUP Undergraduate Research
Date of Award
1-1-2014
Document Type
Paper
College
College of Arts & Sciences
Department
Math & Science
Abstract
The enhanced greenhouse effect can be considered one the greatest global environmental concerns. The amount of radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases is known to high certainty, absorbance from atmospheric aerosols particles is not. Experiments were aimed at the study of the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosols (SOA). The SOA were created in a temperature controlled chamber at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and collected on filters. The SOA were then analyzed for chemical composition using Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR). Analysis of the FTIR showed that certain peaks were degrading over time while others had increased. Peaks at >2350 cm-1 had decreases in absorbance overtime. However, at wavelengths <1600 cm-1, absorbance increased. After relating the areas under these peaks, we were able to model a clear relationship between time and the individual absorbance peaks.