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Atmospheric interface chemistry
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:29:27
Abstract
Heterogeneous chemistry of trace gases at interfaces in the lower atmosphere and its relevance for tropospheric chemistry and climate.
Objective
Understand the relevance of interfacial chemical processes for the chemistry of the atmosphere and for climate. Judging the relevance of interfacial chemical processes for the chemistry of the atmosphere and for climate. Analyzing field or laboratory data based on thermodynamics and kinetics at interfaces. Understanding new literature in the heterogeneous chemistry field and communicating it to other students
Content
Introduction: Description of environmentally relevant air – condensed phase interfaces: Aerosols, snow, ice, water, soils. Relevance of these interfaces for tropospheric chemistry, the life cycle of trace constituents, the archiving of trace constituents in ice, and human health. In detail, along with practical examples: Interface structure (structure of water and ice surfaces, organic monolayers on water, morphology of mixed condensed phases, influence of polarizable ions) Fundamentals of heterogeneous kinetics at the gas – solid and the gas – liquid interface Gas – interface – bulk equilibria (Adsorption isotherms, surface tension, Henry’s Law) Experimental and theoretical methods to study atmospherically relevant interface phenomena (flow tubes, Knudsen cell, aerosol methods, non-linear optical and IR spectroscopies, X-ray absorption spectroscopies, radioactive tracers). Examples to illustrate the details: Surface specific reactions on aerosol particles (sea salt, mineral dust); chemistry and photochemistry in the arctic snowpack; photochemistry in organic films and particles.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Will be made available for download
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- oral 30 minutes
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Atmospheric interface chemistry |
|
2 h weekly |