Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1316
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1316
14 May 2024
 | 14 May 2024

Opinion: Challenges and needs of tropospheric chemical mechanism development

Barbara Ervens, Andrew Rickard, Bernard Aumont, William P. L. Carter, Max McGillen, Abdelwahid Mellouki, John Orlando, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Paul Seakins, William Stockwell, Luc Vereecken, and Tim Wallington

Abstract. Chemical mechanisms form the core of atmospheric models to describe degradation pathways of pollutants and ultimately inform air quality and climate policy makers and other stakeholders. The accuracy of chemical mechanisms relies on the quality of their input data, which originate from experimental (laboratory, field, chamber) and theoretical (quantum chemistry, theoretical kinetics, machine learning) studies. The development of robust mechanisms requires rigorous and transparent procedures for data collection, mechanism construction and evaluation, and creation of reduced or operationally defined mechanisms. Developments in analytical techniques have led to a large number of identified chemical species in the atmospheric multiphase system which have proved invaluable for our understanding of atmospheric chemistry. At the same time, advances in software and machine learning tools have enabled automated mechanism generation. We discuss strategies for mechanism development, applying empirical or mechanistic approaches. We show the general workflows, how either approach can lead to robust mechanisms and that the two approaches complement each other to result in reliable predictions. Current challenges are discussed related to global change, including shifts in emission scenarios that result in new chemical regimes (e.g. low NO scenarios, wildfires, mega/gigacities) and require the development of new or expanded gas- and aqueous-phase mechanisms. In addition, new mechanisms should be developed to also target oxidation capacity, and aerosol chemistry impacting climate, human and ecosystem health.

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Barbara Ervens, Andrew Rickard, Bernard Aumont, William P. L. Carter, Max McGillen, Abdelwahid Mellouki, John Orlando, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Paul Seakins, William Stockwell, Luc Vereecken, and Tim Wallington

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Mike Jenkin, 09 Jul 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', John Wenger, 12 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Aug 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Anonymous Referee #3, 29 Aug 2024
  • AC1: 'Author response to all referee and community comments', Barbara Ervens, 02 Oct 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Mike Jenkin, 09 Jul 2024
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', John Wenger, 12 Aug 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Aug 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1316', Anonymous Referee #3, 29 Aug 2024
  • AC1: 'Author response to all referee and community comments', Barbara Ervens, 02 Oct 2024
Barbara Ervens, Andrew Rickard, Bernard Aumont, William P. L. Carter, Max McGillen, Abdelwahid Mellouki, John Orlando, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Paul Seakins, William Stockwell, Luc Vereecken, and Tim Wallington
Barbara Ervens, Andrew Rickard, Bernard Aumont, William P. L. Carter, Max McGillen, Abdelwahid Mellouki, John Orlando, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Paul Seakins, William Stockwell, Luc Vereecken, and Tim Wallington

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Latest update: 13 Nov 2024
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This paper is written by experts in the field and addresses new tropospheric chemical mechanism developments. It shows how new analytical methods, instrumentation and cheminformatics methods have led to the identification of key processes and knowledge gaps in our understanding of chemical mechanisms, both in the gas phase and condensed phases. The opinion paper presents a perspective on these developments in the present and future, and outlines new directions. This opinion will be a very valuable contribution for the community and I am convinced it will be frequently read and cited.
Short summary
Chemical mechanisms describe the chemical processes in atmospheric models that are used to describe the changes of the atmospheric composition. Therefore, accurate chemical mechanisms are necessary to predict the evolution of air pollution and climate change. The article describes all steps that are needed to build chemical mechanisms and discusses advances and needs of experimental and theoretical research activities needed to build reliable chemical mechanisms.