What happens to airborne particles once they encounter rain, fog, or clouds? In this project, we study how tiny particles like volcanic or industrial ash can dissolve in atmospheric water—a process that transforms their chemical makeup and affects how they interact with the environment.
We focus especially on how sunlight influences the release (or leaching) of metals like iron and copper from these particles into water. By examining both light and dark conditions, we can learn how the composition of the particles controls which metals dissolve, in what form, and how quickly. These processes have important implications for atmospheric chemistry, nutrient cycles, and even human health.
In our lab, we use advanced aqueous reactors that simulate the thin layer of water found on humid aerosols, allowing us to mimic conditions in clouds or fog. We combine this with techniques like colorimetry, electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, surface area analysis, and X-ray methods to study the particles and the water they dissolve into.
Curious about how particles change as they travel through the sky? Join us to explore the hidden chemistry of the atmosphere’s liquid layers.