Kinetic Study of the Reactions of Ozone with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Adsorbed on Atmospheric Model Particles

In this experimental study, rate constants were measured for the reactions of ozone with 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on different types of particles. Graphite and silica were chosen to model, respectively, carbonaceous and mineral atmospheric particles. The pseudo-first order rate constants were obtained from the fit of the experimental decay of particulate PAH concentrations versus time. Second order rate constants were calculated considering the ozone gaseous concentration. At room temperature, rate constants varied, in the case of graphite particles, between (1.5 ± 0.5) × 10−17 and (1.3 ± 0.7) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for chrysene and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, respectively, and, in the case of silica particles, between (1.5 ± 0.3) × 10−17 and (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively. Different granulometric parameters (particle size, pore size) and different PAH concentrations were tested in the case of silica particles. Heterogeneous reactions of ozone with particulate PAHs are shown to be more rapid than those occurring in the gas-phase, and may be competitive with atmospheric photodegradation.