Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-334
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-334
06 Mar 2023
 | 06 Mar 2023

Opinion: Atmospheric Multiphase Chemistry: Past, Present, and Future

Jonathan Abbatt and Akkihebbal Ravishankara

Abstract. Multiphase chemistry occurs between chemicals in different atmospheric phases, typically involving gas-solid and gas-liquid interactions. The importance of atmospheric multiphase chemistry has long been recognized. Its central role extends from acid precipitation and stratospheric ozone depletion, to its impact on the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere, and to the roles that aerosol particles play in driving chemistry-climate interactions and affecting human health. This opinion article briefly introduces the subject of multiphase chemistry and tracks its development before and after the start of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. Most of the article focuses on research opportunities and challenges in the field. Central themes are that a fundamental understanding of the chemistry at the molecular level underpins the ability of atmospheric chemistry to accurately predict environmental change, and that the discipline of multiphase chemistry is strongest when tightly connected to atmospheric modeling and field observations.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2023
| Highlight paper
Opinion: Atmospheric multiphase chemistry – past, present, and future
Jonathan P. D. Abbatt and A. R. Ravishankara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9765–9785, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Jonathan Abbatt and Akkihebbal Ravishankara

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Anonymous Referee #2, 03 Apr 2023
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Hartmut Herrmann, 12 Apr 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to reviewers' comments on egusphere-2023-334', Jonathan Abbatt, 28 Jun 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Mar 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Anonymous Referee #2, 03 Apr 2023
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-334', Hartmut Herrmann, 12 Apr 2023
  • AC1: 'Response to reviewers' comments on egusphere-2023-334', Jonathan Abbatt, 28 Jun 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Jonathan Abbatt on behalf of the Authors (28 Jun 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (02 Jul 2023) by Barbara Ervens
RR by Hartmut Herrmann (12 Jul 2023)
ED: Publish as is (17 Jul 2023) by Barbara Ervens
ED: Publish as is (18 Jul 2023) by James Allan (Executive editor)
AR by Jonathan Abbatt on behalf of the Authors (20 Jul 2023)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

04 Sep 2023
| Highlight paper
Opinion: Atmospheric multiphase chemistry – past, present, and future
Jonathan P. D. Abbatt and A. R. Ravishankara
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 9765–9785, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-9765-2023, 2023
Short summary Executive editor
Jonathan Abbatt and Akkihebbal Ravishankara
Jonathan Abbatt and Akkihebbal Ravishankara

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Latest update: 18 Sep 2024
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

The role of chemical reactions within the atmospheric multiphase system, i.e. aerosol particles and cloud droplets surrounded by a gas phase, has been recognized for several decades to affect the atmospheric composition. In this article, significant advancements in measurement techniques during the past 20 years are briefly described that led to the identification of thousands of organic compounds and molecular-scale processes within the atmospheric multiphase system. Similarly, the complexity of multiphase chemistry models has been increasing to include in detail the underlying chemical processes and phase transfers between gas, aqueous, and organic phases. The authors propose how complementary techniques, such as machine learning and molecular dynamics, can be used to constrain the resulting model complexity. They also identify chemical parameters to be further constrained in lab and field studies. Overall, the article highlights the need and future directions of increasingly interdisciplinary efforts to characterize the atmospheric multiphase chemistry system and its impacts on climate-chemistry interactions, atmospheric oxidation capacity and human health.
Short summary
Atmospheric multiphase chemistry refers to the interactions that occur between different phases in the atmosphere, often involving chemistry of aerosol particles, cloud droplets, and the Earth’s surface. This article briefly traces the development of the field with a strong emphasis on directions for future research. The importance of a fundamental understanding of the science and strong connections to other aspects of atmospheric science is stressed.