Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00374

Laboratory and modelling studies of peroxy radical cross reactions.

Principal Investigator:: Professor CJ Percival, The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Professor D Shallcross, University of Bristol, Chemistry
Grant held at:: The University of Manchester, Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences

Abstract:: Peroxy radicals play a vital role in controlling the budgets of ozone, NOx, NOy and HOx throughout the troposphere and the importance of these families in determining atmospheric composition, the earth's radiative balance and any future change in climate can not be over-emphasised. However, there is a major gap in the kinetic database, in that there is little or no data for sub ambient temperatures and where data is available the picture is far from clear, and thus does not allow the full atmospheric importance of peroxy radicals to be assessed. An integrated programme of laboratory and modelling studies is proposed to study a key set of peroxy radical reactions, namely cross reactions. A state of the art experimental system, a turbulent flow chemical ionisation mass spectrometer, that enables direct experimental access to atmospherically relevant temperatures and pressures will be used to determine kinetic and mechanistic parameters. The experimental results will be incorporated into a global atmospheric model which allows the atmospheric importance of peroxy radicals to be assessed. The proposed work will be invaluable for the rationalisation of the effect of peroxy radical reactions on atmospheric pollution and climate change.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £83,320

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment	Total - Indirect Costs
£8,103	£3,384	£41,247	£10,300	£20,287

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