Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T18:20:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Richardson Gomes Lima da Silva.pdf: 690722 bytes, checksum: b0750021c9acc18f05844256e1a0df38 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-11-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In Maranhao, studies on the atmospheric chemistry are scarce, with only one record for the region of Lagoa do Caco, in First Cross. Although still a developing city, with moderate urban growth and incipient industrialization rate, the implantation of the steel complex in St. Louis - as the Aluminum Industry of Maranhão (ALUMAR) and the pellet plant and production of steel plates (in installation phase) of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce - in the region increases the potential for emission of particles and gases into the atmosphere, which may contribute to altering the characteristics of rain and the ecological balance of sensitive areas like the low lands due geographical location and weather conditions this state. These circumstances underscore the need to verify the potential emissions released by the urban-industrial activity on the island have on the ecosystems of the lowlands. Most of the regions studied in this work (Panaquatira, Cashew and Pine) has the major influence on rainwater ions of marine origin, a situation already expected due to location near the coast. The sampling points located in St. Louis (Panaquatira, Cashew and Coconut) had acid deposition events in 46.57% of samples. However, when considering the value 5.0 as the lower limit of pH for rainwater acidified by natural processes, only 16.44% of the samples showed high acidity, Cashew and Coconut, indicating that the processes of urban-industrial St. Louis would negatively affect the pH of rainfall in these regions. Among the ions, fluoride had its highest concentrations in Cashew and Coconut, possibly due to their location close to Vale do Rio Doce and ALUMAR respectively emitting industries by nature potential of this element to the atmosphere. Although they presented isolated events of acid deposition, and Viana Pinheiro received predominantly deposition events with pH higher than expected (5.6) for natural environments. This may have its origin in the high levels of ammonia found in samples of rain in these regions, probably due to extensive breeding of animals, which release large quantities of this compound into the atmosphere through their droppings. The soils in the low lands showed a great susceptibility to acidity from the calculation of critical load part (CCP). Although not occurring phenomena of acid deposition in these locations, the high levels of ammonia can be harmful to the soil, as ammonium salts, formed from the reaction of NH4 + with acidic compounds in the atmosphere, may release more H + than acid deposition itself. / No Maranhão, estudos sobre a química atmosférica ainda são escassos, com apenas um registro para a região da Lagoa do Caçó, em Primeira Cruz. Apesar de ainda ser uma cidade em desenvolvimento, com moderado crescimento urbano e insipiente taxa de industrialização, a implantação de complexos siderúrgicos em São Luís - como o da Indústria de Alumínio do Maranhão (ALUMAR) e da usina de pelotização e produção de placas de aço (em fase de instalação) da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce - aumenta na região o potencial de emissão de partículas e gases para a atmosfera, que podem contribuir para a alteração das características da chuva e o equilíbrio ecológico de áreas sensíveis como a Baixada Maranhense, devido à localização geográfica desta e às condições meteorológicas do Estado. Estas circunstâncias ressaltam a necessidade de se verificar o potencial que as emissões liberadas pela atividade urbano-industrial da ilha exercem sobre os ecossistemas da Baixada. A maioria das regiões estudadas neste trabalho (Panaquatira, Cajueiro e Pinheiro) teve como influência principal na água da chuva os íons de origem marinha, situação já esperada devido à localização próxima ao litoral. Os pontos de amostragem situados em São Luís (Panaquatira, Cajueiro e Coqueiro) apresentaram eventos de deposição ácida em 46,57% das amostras. Entretanto, ao se considerar o valor 5,0 como limite inferior de pH para águas de chuva acidificadas por processos naturais, apenas 16,44% das amostras apresentaram elevada acidez, em Cajueiro e Coqueiro, indicando que os processos urbano-industriais de São Luís estariam afetando negativamente o pH das chuvas dessas regiões. Dentre os íons, fluoreto teve suas maiores concentrações em Cajueiro e Coqueiro, possivelmente devido às suas localizações próximas da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce e da ALUMAR, respectivamente, indústrias por natureza potenciais emissoras deste elemento para a atmosfera. Embora tenham apresentado eventos isolados de deposição ácida, Pinheiro e Viana receberam, predominantemente, eventos de deposição com pH acima do esperado (5,6) para ambientes naturais. Tal fato pode ter sua origem nos altos teores de amônio encontrados nas amostras de chuva dessas regiões, provavelmente em decorrência da criação extensiva de animais, que liberam grandes quantidades desse composto para a atmosfera através dos seus dejetos. Os solos estudados na Baixada Maranhense mostraram uma grande suscetibilidade à acidez a partir do cálculo da carga crítica parcial (CCP). Ainda que não estejam ocorrendo fenômenos de deposição ácida nesses locais, os altos teores de amônio podem ser prejudiciais ao solo, uma vez que sais de amônio, formados a partir da reação de NH4+ com compostos ácidos na atmosfera, podem liberar mais H+ do que a deposição ácida propriamente dita.

Muitos estudos têm sido desenvolvidos com o intuito de descrever a química da fase gasosa na atmosfera da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP). Contudo, o tratamento do material particulado (PM) ainda é feito de forma simplificada em modelos de transporte e químicos atmosféricos, apesar do grande conhecimento já adquirido na caracterização da sua composição elementar e da sua estrutura física. Tendo isso em vista, o objetivo do presente estudo é identificar as principais fontes emissoras do material particulado fino, em especial as fontes veiculares que apresentam muitas dificuldades para sua identificação por não haver medidas de traçadores específicos para os combustíveis utilizados. Neste trabalho foram realizadas amostragens, que duravam 24 horas, próximas a uma avenida de intenso tráfego (Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo) no período de junho de 2007 a agosto de 2008. Com os dados de composição dessas amostras, a identificação das possíveis fontes foi realizada por modelos receptores; mais especificamente foram utilizados: Análise de Fatores (AF) e Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), uma nova ferramenta estatística, que ainda não havia sido aplicada no estudo do material particulado em São Paulo. O número de fontes identificadas por essas duas ferramentas estatísticas não foi o mesmo: na AF foram extraídos 4 fatores (solo, queima de óleo combustível e dois fatores que se dividiram, identificando a emissão de veículos leves e pesados não diferenciados), enquanto que o PMF identificou 6 (as mesmas fontes identificadas pela AF, com a diferenciação da emissão veicular (leves e pesados) e ainda a queima de biomassa). Houve concordância entre as duas análises que a maior participação para formação de material particulado fino é da emissão por veículos. A comparação entre os modelos mostrou que os resultados obtidos pelo PMF apresentaram uma melhor divisão das fontes, principalmente na identificação das frotas veiculares. Isso se deve ao fato do PMF considerar na análise o erro de cada concentração medida como um peso para cada variável, além de não permitir a ocorrência de fatores negativos, caracterizando melhor as fontes através da presença desses vínculos físicos. / Several studies have been developed in order to describe the gaseous phase of atmospheric constituents in the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo (RMSP). However, the aerosol description remains simplified in chemical models, despite the knowledge acquired in its characterization and composition analyses. Facing these limitations, the objective of this work is to identify the main emission sources of fine particulate matter, specially the vehicular ones that present a lot of difficulties due to the fact that the characteristic trace elements are unknown for these sources. It was used in this work 201 samples collected in 24-hour period each at Dr. Arnaldo Avenue, a large and busy avenue in the city of São Paulo, from June 2007 to August 2008. The source identification was accomplished considering the samples composition and using receptor models: Factor Analysis (FA) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) techniques. PMF was a new statistical tool in the study of particulates in the city of São Paulo. The number of sources identified by these two models was different. The FA technique identified 4 factors, (soil, fuel burning, and 2 factors combining in light and heavy-duty vehicles), whereas PMF identified 6, the same as FA (light and heavier vehicles differentiated) and biomass burning. There was concordance between the two techniques, considering that both found that vehicular emission is the major contribution for concentration. The comparison between the models indicated that PMF model present a better source classification, mainly for the vehicular identification. The PMF technique considers the error of each sample in the analysis, weighting the variables and imposing that all the factors must be positive. This mechanism provides a better characterization of sources linking the results with the physics of the process.

No description available.

To improve the understanding of aerosol composition, sources, and spatial and temporal variations, atmospheric aerosols were characterized in three locations. Ambient aerosols were characterized using 24-hour samples collected from Kathmandu, Nepal (urban), New Hampshire (semi-rural) and Houston (urban). Results are reported in the main chapters. Chamber studies of secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formation from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the effects of in-situ SOA formation on atmospheric mercury oxidation are described in the appendices. Carbonaceous, ionic, and isotopic species in aerosols from Kathmandu identified local primary emissions, most likely vehicular exhaust as the most important aerosol sources. Carbonaceous aerosols collected in Kathmandu (24.5 μg C m -3 ) were much larger than those in New Hampshire (3.74 μg C m -3 ) during winter. Stable carbon isotope in aerosols of Kathmandu and New Hampshire were similar (Δδ 13 C ∠ 0.5[per thousand]) while stable nitrogen isotope were much lower in aerosols of Kathmandu (Δδ 15 N = 8.3[per thousand]). Aerosols in New Hampshire exhibited a large seasonal variation for carbonaceous aerosols, stable nitrogen isotope, and the aromatic fraction of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Pure aliphatics (H-C) were the dominant functional group in WSOC. Results illustrate the importance of secondary aerosol sources throughout the year, with enhanced importance of primary sources during winter. Stable carbon isotope values suggest a consistent isotopic signature of carbonaceous aerosol sources, while the nitrogen isotope values indicate the variable nitrogenous sources and the strong influence of meteorological parameters (temperature and relative humidity) on nitrogen isotope fractionation. Characteristics of methoxyphenols (lignin macropolymers) in the ambient aerosols are reported for the first time using CuO oxidation method. The study illustrates the use of lignin oxidation products (LOPs) in aerosols as potential tracers of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP). The methoxyphenols identified soil organic matter and altered woody angiosperms, with minor influence from soft tissues and gymnosperms as the important PBAP sources in mainly coarse particles in Houston atmosphere. Solvent-extracted methoxyphenols (lignin monomers) and anhydrosugars (levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan) in aerosols were either absent or very small, suggesting very limited biomass burning influence with any trace-level presence originating from long-range transport.

Processes at the air-water/ice interface are known to play a very important role in the release of reactive halogen species with atmospheric aerosols serving as catalysts. The ability to make different types of ice with various morphologies, hence, different adsorption and surface properties in vacuum, provide a useful way to probe the catalytic effect of ice in atmospheric reactions. Also, the use of the liquid jet technique provides the rare opportunity to probe liquid samples at the interface; hitherto impossible to investigate with traditional surface science techniques. Studies of reactions on both ice and liquid surfaces at ambient conditions are usually complicated by the rapid desorption and adsorption processes due to the high evaporation rates at the surface. To gain a better understanding and improve modeling of several atmospheric relevant reactions, it is therefore important to develop laboratory techniques that provide an opportunity to investigate non-thermal reactions on both ice and liquid surfaces. Detailed investigation of the interactions of atmospheric relevant molecules (methyl iodide and hydrogen chloride) on water ice at low temperature in UHV conditions has been carried out. These interactions were studied using different techniques such as temperature programmed desorption (TPD), electron stimulated desorption (ESD) and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Unlike probing reactions on ice surfaces, investigating air/liquid interfaces present several challenges. This is because traditional surface science techniques require an ultra high vacuum environment to prevent distortion of information due to interference from equilibrium vapor above the liquid surface during data acquisition. The liquid jet technique facilitates the direct study of continually renewed liquid surfaces in high vacuum, thereby preventing the constant changing of the properties and composition of the liquid surface due to the aging process (diffusion of impurities or liquid constituent). A linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been used to monitor ion ejection during laser irradiation of liquid jet containing aqueous solutions and pure water. Since these ions are ejected exclusively from the surface of the liquid and the cluster distributions observed are influenced by the local structure, these experiments provide a sensitive probe of the liquid vacuum interface of these solutions. Though the research is fundamental, the results obtained from these investigations indicate how the discontinuity of bulk properties on the surface of both ice and aqueous solutions affects interfacial reactions.

19 Dec 2004. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. "IS-T 1930" Heather Marie Netzloff. 12/19/2004. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

Dans un contexte de réchauffement climatique, une compréhension des mécanismes atmosphériques influençant le bilan radiatif terrestre est nécessaire. Les nuages peuvent participer à un refroidissement mais des incertitudes demeurent sur ces systèmes qui sont encore mal connus (notamment la composition de leur fraction organique). Depuis toujours, seules les réactions chimiques et surtout celles radicalaires sont considérées comme importantes pour jouer sur la composition des nuages. Cependant la découverte de microorganismes métaboliquement actifs pose la question de leur rôle en tant que biocatalyseurs. Ces microorganismes sont en effet à même d'utiliser des molécules carbonées comme nutriments, de dégrader des molécules précurseur des radicaux (H2O2) et de se prémunir contre le stress oxydant. L'objectif de ce travail est de mesurer l'impact des processus photochimiques et biologiques sur la composition chimique du nuage. Pour cela, la quantification de •OH, le radical responsable de la réactivité diurne, et l’évaluation de l’impact des microorganismes sur cette concentration à l’état stationnaire ont été entreprises. Après un développement en milieu modèle, la méthode a été appliquée à des eaux atmosphériques (eaux de pluies et eaux de nuages). Les concentrations obtenues sont de l'ordre de 10-17 à 10-15 M et ne sont pas modifiées en présence de microorganismes. Ces concentrations sont plus faibles que celles obtenues dans les modèles de chimie atmosphérique, ceci peut s’expliquer par un manque de connaissance sur la matière organique. Pour mieux caractériser cette dernière, des composés aromatiques simples présents dans des eaux de nuages ont été identifiés, le phénol a été retrouvé dans les 8 échantillons analysés. Une étude approfondie sur sa dégradation a donc été entreprise. Nous avons montré que des transcrits d’enzymes intervenant dans sa biotransformation sont synthétisés par les bactéries in situ dans l’eau de nuage. De plus, 93% des souches bactériennes testées, isolées de ce milieu, dégradent le phénol. Pour évaluer l'impact relatif des processus de dégradation biotique et abiotique du phénol, une expérience de photobiodégradation avec une souche modèle (Rhodococcus erythropolis PDD-23b-28) a été entreprise. Ces deux processus interviennent avec une importance de même ordre de grandeur. Ces résultats suggèrent que les microorganismes et les radicaux interviennent dans la remédiation naturelle de l'atmosphère. / In the context of global warming, more precise knowledge of atmospheric processes is needed to evaluate their impact on the Earth radiative budget. Clouds can limit the increase of temperature but this retroaction is not well understood due to a lack of knowledge of cloud media (like organic fraction composition). From the beginning of atmospheric studies, only chemical, especially radical, reactions was taken into account. However microorganisms metabolically active were found in cloud water arising questions about their role as biocatalyst. They are able to use carboxylic acids as nutriments, to degrade radical precursor (like H2O2) and to survive oxidative stress. The aim of this work is to quantify the impact of photochemical and biological processes on cloud chemistry composition. First, the concentrations of •OH, the most reactive radical, were evaluated and the influence of microorganisms on the concentrations were studied. A new method was developed in artificial medial before direct quantification of steady state •OH concentration in atmospheric waters (rain and cloud waters). Concentrations ranged from 10-17 to 10-15 M and did not change in presence of microorganisms. These measures were lower than concentrations estimated by chemical atmospheric models. A possible explanation was an underestimation of the main sink of this radical (organic matter). To better characterize this fraction, simple aromatic compounds were identified in cloud waters, phenol was found in the 8 samples analyzed. To go further, we studied phenol degradation in detail. Enzyme transcripts involved in phenol degradation were present in cloud water samples showing in situ activity of native bacteria. 93% of tested cultural strains, isolated from cloud waters, were able to degrade phenol. To quantify the relative contribution of radical versus microbial processes allowing phenol degradation, we performed photo-biodegradation experiment with a model strain (Rhodococcus erythropolis PDD-23b-28). Our results showed that these two processes participated equally to phenol degradation, suggesting that microorganisms and radicals can be involved in atmospheric natural remediation.

Dans le cadre du projet DISPATMO (étude de prévision des risques de pollution liés à la dispersion atmosphérique de produits chimiques), des études de risques liés aux incendies et explosions dus aux produits chimiques ont été menées. L’objectif de cette thèse était de réaliser une étude cinétique et mécanistique approfondie afin de déterminer la dégradation en phase gazeuse de l'un des principaux constituants du solvant Tiflex, acétate de 1-méthoxy-2-propyle (MPA), par les radicaux OH et les atomes de Cl. En outre, les constantes de vitesse de réaction de OH et Cl avec une série d' acétates d’alcoxyle largement utilisés dans l'industrie du revêtement et la peinture, l'acétate de méthoxy-2-butyle (2MBA), l'acétate de méthoxy-3-butyle (3MBA), l'acétate de méthoxy-éthyle (MEA), l'acétate d'éthoxy-éthyle (EEE) et l’acétate de n-pentyle (n-PA), ont été déterminées. Les expériences ont été conduites en utilisant la technique de photolyse laser pulsée couplée à la fluorescence induite par laser, un réacteur à écoulement à basse pression couplé à un spectromètre de masse et une chambre de simulation atmosphérique couplé à GC-FID, FTIR et GC-MS en utilisant les méthodes absolue et relative. Les données cinétiques ont été utilisées pour déterminer les expressions Arrhenius pour évaluer le devenir environnemental des composés étudiés tels que leur durée de vie et le potentiel de formation d'ozone. D'autre part, le mécanisme réactionnel a été étudié et les principaux produits de dégradation et leurs rendements ont été déterminés en présence de NO. Les spectres d’absorption UV-Vis de MPA, 2MBA et 3MBA ont également été déterminés afin d'évaluer le potentiel de photolyse de ces composés dans l’atmosphère. Les paramètres cinétiques et mécanistiques ainsi que les durées de vie troposphérique déterminés sont utilisés comme données d'entrée dans les modèles de simulation atmosphériques photochimiques et dans les modèles de dispersion atmosphérique de produits chimiques pour évaluer leur impact atmosphérique. / In the context of DISPATMO project (forecast study of pollution risks related to the atmospheric dispersal of chemicals), risk studies linked to the fires and the explosions due to chemical storage were conducted. The purpose of this thesis was to perform a thorough kinetic and mechanistic study to determine the gas phase degradation of one of the main component of Tiflex solvent, the 1-methoxy 2-propyl acetate (MPA). Furthermore, the rate coefficients of OH and Cl with a series of alkoxy acetates widely used in painting and coating industries, 2-methoxy-butyl acetate (2MBA), 3-methoxybutyl acetate (3MBA), methoxy ethyl acetate (MEA), ethoxy ethyl acetate (EEA) and n-pentyl acetate (n-PA), were determined. The experiments were performed employing the pulsed laser photolysislaser induced fluorescence technique, a low pressure flow tube reactor coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer and an atmospheric simulation chamber coupled with a GC-FID, a FTIR and a GC-MS using complementary absolute and relative rate methods. The kinetic data were used to derive the Arrhenius expressions as well as to evaluate the environmental fate of the studied compounds such as their lifetimes and the Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential. Besides, the reaction mechanism was investigated, while the major degradation products and their yields were determined in presence of NO. In addition, the UV-Vis absorption cross sections of MPA, 2MBA and 3MBA were measured in order to evaluate their potential photolysis in the atmosphere. The investigation of the chemical processes and the tropospheric lifetimes of the compounds are used as input data in photochemical atmospheric simulation models and in chemical agent atmospheric dispersion models to evaluate their atmospheric impact.

La phase aqueuse de l’atmosphère et plus précisément les gouttelettes de nuage est un des milieux les plus concentrés et réactifs de l’atmosphère au sein duquel les composés présents peuvent subir de nombreuses transformations, principalement par voie photochimique. De plus, elle a la propriété d’être oxydante due à la présence d’espèces radicalaires telles qu’OH ou HO2 et de composés tels que le peroxyde d’hydrogène et le fer.La présence avérée de microorganismes métaboliquement actifs dans l’atmosphère a soulevé de nombreuses questions et plus récemment sur leur rôle dans les processus atmosphériques. Ces organismes pourraient modifier la composition des nuages en utilisant comme substrat les composés carbonés représentant une part importante des composés présents dans les nuages. De plus, ils sont suspectés de jouer un rôle dans la capacité oxydante des nuages en impactant des composés clés de la réactivité chimique tels que le fer ou le peroxyde d’hydrogène. L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse était de se focaliser sur les interactions des microorganismes avec deux espèces oxydantes de la phase aqueuse des nuages, le fer et le peroxyde d’hydrogène.Tout d’abord, un intérêt particulier a été porté au cycle du fer et à sa complexation dans les nuages, de nature encore très incertaine à ce jour. Dans l’idée d’apporter des premiers éléments de réponse quant à cette complexation, un large screening réalisé sur des microorganismes des nuages a été effectué afin d’évaluer leur capacité à produire des sidérophores. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent l’éventuelle présence de sidérophores dans les eaux de nuage comme molécules chélatantes du fer(III) ce qui pourrait impacter la chimie du fer dans la phase aqueuse des nuages.Il a ensuite été question de s’intéresser au peroxyde d’hydrogène. Dans une première approche, les paramètres et mécanismes responsables de la transformation biotique et abiotique de H2O2 dans les eaux de nuage ont été étudiés, ainsi que ses effets sur le métabolisme énergétique des microorganismes. Dans une deuxième approche, les modifications du métabolisme microbien face à H2O2 ont été approfondies à travers une approche métabolomique. Les résultats ont ainsi suggéré que le peroxyde d’hydrogène module fortement le métabolisme énergétique des microorganismes des nuages. Les microorganismes sont capables de gérer une condition de stress oxydant mais qu’en même temps ce stress induit une réorganisation de leur métabolisme. Il a également été montré que diverses voies métaboliques telles que le métabolisme des sucres, acides carboxyliques, lipides, acides aminés, peptide et glutathion sont impactées.Intégrer ces données biologiques dans des modèles de chimie atmosphérique pour améliorer la quantification de cette modulation sur la chimie atmosphérique apparait comme une des perspectives les plus importantes à envisager. Pour cela, des constantes cinétiques de biodégradation de quatre composés majeurs des nuages ont été déterminées. Les sorties du modèle nous permettront de mieux évaluer l’impact du métabolisme microbien sur la chimie des nuages. / The aqueous phase of the atmosphere and, more precisely, cloud droplets is one of the most reactive environments of the atmosphere within which the compounds present can be transformed especially by photochemical reactions. In addition, it contains many radical species such as HO, HO2, hydrogen peroxide or iron which explains its oxidizing power.The presence of metabolically active microorganisms in the atmosphere raised many questions and, currently, on their role in atmospheric processes. These organisms could modify the composition of clouds using carbon compounds as substrate that represented an important part of compounds present in clouds. They are also suspected to play a role in the oxidative capacity of clouds by impacting key compounds of chemical reactivity such as iron or hydrogen peroxide.The objective of this work was to focus on the interactions between cloud microorganisms and two oxidant species of clouds aqueous phase, iron and hydrogen peroxide.First, the cycling of iron and its complexation still very uncertain was studied. In order to provide responses we achieved a screening to evaluate the capacity of cloud microorganisms to produce siderophores. The results obtained suggest the possible presence of siderophores in cloud water as chelating molecules of iron (III) which could have a strong impact on iron chemistry in cloud aqueous phase.Then, we focused on hydrogen peroxide. The parameters and mechanisms responsible for the biotic and abiotic transformation of H2O2 in cloud water were studied, as well as its effects on energetic metabolism of microorganisms. The modifications of the microbial metabolism in the presence of H2O2 were pursued using metabolomics. The results suggest that H2O2 strongly modulate the energetic metabolism of cloud microorganisms. They are able to handle oxidative stress conditions but at the same time this stress induces a reorganization of their metabolism. Various metabolic pathways such as sugar, carboxylic acids, lipids, amino acids, peptide and glutathione metabolism are impacted.One of the important perspectives to consider is the integration of these biological data into atmospheric chemistry models in order to improve the quantification of this modulation on atmospheric chemistry. For this, biodegradation rate constants of four major compounds present in clouds were determined. The output will allow us to assess better the impact of microbial metabolism on clouds chemistry.

L'ozone (O3) possède une anomalie isotopique en oxygène qui est unique et caractéristique, offrant ainsi un précieux traceur des processus oxydatifs à l'œuvre dans l'atmosphère moderne mais aussi ceux ayant eu lieu dans le passé. Cette signature isotopique, dénotée Δ17O, se propage au sein du cycle atmosphérique de l'azote réactif (NOx = NO + NO2) et est préservée lors du dépôt du nitrate (NO3-) présent dans l'aérosol, par exemple. L'anomalie isotopique en oxygène portée par le nitrate, Δ17O(NO3-), représente ainsi un traceur de l'importance relative de l'ozone ainsi que celle d'autres oxydants dans le cycle des NOx. Ces dernières années, de nombreux travaux de recherche ont été dédiés à l'interprétation des mesures de Δ17O(NO3-). Pourtant, les processus atmosphériques responsables du transfert de l'anomalie isotopique de l'ozone vers le nitrate ainsi que leur influence globale sur la composition isotopique du nitrate à différentes échelles spatiales et temporelles sont encore mal compris. De plus, la magnitude absolue ainsi que la variabilité spatio-temporelle de Δ17O(O3) sont peu contraintes, car il est difficile d'extraire de l'ozone de l'air ambiant. Cet obstacle technique contrecarre l'interprétation des mesures de Δ17O depuis plus d'une décennie. Les questions scientifiques posées au cours de ce travail de thèse ont été choisies dans le but de combler ces lacunes. Le principal outil d'analyse utilisé dans ce travail est la « méthode bactérienne » associée à la spectrométrie de masse en flux continu (CF-IRMS), une combinaison de techniques qui permet l'analyse de la composition isotopique totale du nitrate (c'est-à-dire, la mesure de δ15N, δ18O et Δ17O). Cette méthode a été employée pour l'analyse isotopique d'échantillons de nitrate obtenus pour deux cas d'études : (i) une étude des variations spatiales de la composition isotopique du nitrate atmosphérique sur la côte californienne à l'échelle journalière; et (ii) une étude du transfert du nitrate et de sa composition isotopique à l'interface entre l'air et la neige à l'échelle saisonnière sur le plateau Antarctique. En outre, cette méthode a été adaptée à la caractérisation isotopique de l'ozone via la conversion chimique de ses atomes d'oxygène terminaux en nitrate. Au cours de cette thèse, un important jeu de données rassemblant de nombreuses mesures troposphériques de Δ17O(O3) a été obtenu, incluant une année entière de mesures à Grenoble, France (45 °N) ainsi qu'un transect latitudinal de collecte dans la couche limite au-dessus de l'océan Atlantique, entre 50 °S to 50 °N. Ces observations ont permis de doubler le nombre de mesures troposphériques de Δ17O(O3) existantes avant cette thèse et d'accroître de manière conséquente notre représentation globale de cette variable isotopique essentielle. Enfin, les deux cas étudiés et présentés dans ce document révèlent des aspects nouveaux et inattendus de la dynamique isotopique du nitrate atmosphérique, avec d'importantes conséquences potentielles pour la modélisation de la qualité de l'air et l'interprétation de l'information isotopique contenue dans les carottes de glace prélevées aux pôles. / The unique and distinctive 17O-excess (Δ17O) of ozone (O3) serves as a valuable tracer for oxidative processes in both modern and ancient atmospheres. This isotopic signature is propagated throughout the atmospheric reactive nitrogen (NOx = NO + NO2) cycle and preserved in nitrate (NO3-) aerosols and mineral deposits, providing a conservative tracer for the relative importance of ozone and other key oxidants involved in NOx cycling. However, despite the intense research effort dedicated to the interpretation of Δ17O(NO3-) measurements, the atmospheric processes responsible for the transfer of Δ17O to nitrate and their overall influence on nitrate isotopic composition on different spatial and temporal scales are not well understood. Furthermore, due to the inherent complexity of extracting ozone from ambient air, the absolute magnitude and spatiotemporal variability of Δ17O(O3) remains poorly constrained, a problem that has confounded the interpretation of Δ17O measurements for over a decade. The research questions that have been pursued in this thesis were formulated to address these knowledge gaps. The primary analytical tool used was the bacterial denitrifier method followed by continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS), which allows for the comprehensive isotopic analysis of nitrate (i.e., δ15N, δ18O, Δ17O). This method was applied to the isotopic analysis of nitrate samples in two case studies: (i) an investigation of the diurnal and spatial features of atmospheric nitrate isotopic composition in coastal California; and (ii) a study of the seasonality and air-snow transfer of nitrate stable isotopes on the Antarctic plateau. Furthermore, the method was adapted to the isotopic characterization of ozone via chemical conversion of its terminal oxygen atoms to nitrate. During the course of this thesis, a large dataset of tropospheric Δ17O(O3) measurements has been obtained, including a full annual record from Grenoble, France (45 °N) and a ship-based latitudinal profile from 50 °S to 50 °N in the Atlantic marine boundary layer (MBL). This observational dataset represents a two-fold increase in the number of existing tropospheric Δ17O(O3) observations and a dramatic expansion in the global representation of this key isotopic variable. Additionally, the two case studies presented reveal novel and often unexpected aspects of the isotope dynamics of atmospheric nitrate, with potentially important implications for air quality modeling and the interpretation of isotopic information preserved in the polar ice core record.