Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-29
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-29
21 Jan 2025
 | 21 Jan 2025

Atmospheric fate of organosulfates through gas-phase and aqueous-phase reaction with hydroxyl radicals: implications in inorganic sulfate formation

Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numboniu Tasheh, Julius Numboniu Ghogomu, and Lin Du

Abstract. Organosulfates are important tracers for aerosol particles, yet their influence on aerosol chemical composition remains poorly understood. This study explores the reactions of some prevalent organosulfates, specificaly methyl sulfate and glycolic acid sulfate, with hydroxyl radicals (HO•) in both gas-phase and aqueous-phase environments. Results indicate that all reactions initiate with hydrogen abstraction by HO• from CH3- or -CH2- groups adjacent to the sulfate group, followed by the further reaction of the resulting radical through self-decomposition or interactions with O2 and O3. While glycolic acid sulfate is unfriendly towards decomposition in the gas-phase, methyl sulfate requires clustering with at least two water molecules for effective decomposition. In the aqueous-phase, the decomposition of glycolic acid sulfate is the least extensive, likely due to the presence of the carboxyl group that stabilizes the radical resulting from hydrogen abstraction. The primary reaction products are inorganic sulfate and carbonyl compounds. The rate constant of 1.14×10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 at 298.15 K was determined for the gas-phase reaction of methyl sulfate, consistent with previous experimental data. Additionally, while prior studies suggested O2 as primary oxidant in the fragmentation of organosulfates, this study highlight unveils O3 as a key oxidant in the intermediate steps of this process. Overall, this study elucidates mechanisms for HO•-initiated transformation of organosulfates and highlights the potential role of chemical substitution, thereby enhancing our understanding of their atmospheric chemistry and implication for inorganic sulfate formation, which are vital for evaluating their impact on aerosol properties and climate processes.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Aug 2025
Atmospheric fate of organosulfates through gas-phase and aqueous-phase reactions with hydroxyl radicals: implications for inorganic sulfate formation
Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numbonui Tasheh, Julius Numbonui Ghogomu, and Lin Du
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8575–8590, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8575-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8575-2025, 2025
Short summary
Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numboniu Tasheh, Julius Numboniu Ghogomu, and Lin Du

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #1, 28 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #2, 13 Feb 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #3, 14 Feb 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #1, 28 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #2, 13 Feb 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-29', Anonymous Referee #3, 14 Feb 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Narcisse Tsona Tchinda on behalf of the Authors (01 Apr 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (13 Apr 2025) by Theodora Nah
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (17 Apr 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (22 Apr 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (03 May 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (09 May 2025) by Theodora Nah
AR by Narcisse Tsona Tchinda on behalf of the Authors (13 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (18 May 2025) by Theodora Nah
AR by Narcisse Tsona Tchinda on behalf of the Authors (19 May 2025)  Author's response 

Post-review adjustments

AA: Author's adjustment | EA: Editor approval
AA by Narcisse Tsona Tchinda on behalf of the Authors (29 Jul 2025)   Author's adjustment   Manuscript
EA: Adjustments approved (01 Aug 2025) by Theodora Nah

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

07 Aug 2025
Atmospheric fate of organosulfates through gas-phase and aqueous-phase reactions with hydroxyl radicals: implications for inorganic sulfate formation
Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numbonui Tasheh, Julius Numbonui Ghogomu, and Lin Du
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 8575–8590, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8575-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-8575-2025, 2025
Short summary
Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numboniu Tasheh, Julius Numboniu Ghogomu, and Lin Du
Narcisse Tsona Tchinda, Xiaofan Lv, Stanley Numboniu Tasheh, Julius Numboniu Ghogomu, and Lin Du

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Short summary
This study examines the chemical transformation of selected organosulfates by reactions with HO• radicals both in the gas-phase and in the aqueous-phase. Results show that the nature of the substituents on the carbon chain can effectively alter the decomposition of organosulfates and ozone is highlighted as a key oxidant in the intermediate steps of this decomposition. The primary products from these reactions include inorganic sulfate and carbonyl compounds.
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