Laboratory of Radiochemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry

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Team leader: prof. dr hab. Tomasz Gierczak

Team leader’s e-mail address: gierczak@chem.uw.edu.pl

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Brief description of the research topic:

The Radiochemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory conducts research in the broadly understood field of environmental chemistry. Atmospheric chemistry is an interdisciplinary field of science that combines research methodology from the field of physical and analytical chemistry. One of the most important objects of our research is aerosols, primarily secondary organic aerosols. We study their chemical composition, formation mechanism, and chemical transformation (aging). The aerosol that we are currently interested in is the so-called brown carbon (Brown Carbon – BrC). BrC is formed in the combustion processes of biomass, both in processes initiated by humans, most often for energy purposes, as well as in the processes of natural burning, e.g., forest fires. BrC is an aerosol of great importance both on a global scale, influencing the energy processes occurring in the atmosphere (it not only scatters but also absorbs solar radiation), and also having a significant impact on human health. BrC is highly toxic. We study the composition, mechanism, and ageing processes of BrC in the laboratory, where we generate aerosol in a biomass combustion furnace designed and built by us. BrC aerosol produced during the combustion of various types of wood (the combustion process is also carried out in different ways) is collected on a filter, extracted into water, and analyzed using chromatographic techniques combined with mass spectrometry. In parallel, the collected aerosol dissolved in water is subjected to a reaction with the OH radical or nitrogen compounds. This is a simple way to simulate the basic ageing processes that BrC undergoes in the atmosphere. The data obtained are used to model chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere. Additionally, we conduct toxicological analyses of the aerosol.