Heterogeneous Atmospheric Reactions of Organic Pesticides

Organic pesticides emitted into the atmosphere can exist in both gas and particle phases, where they undergo a suite of surface-bound chemical processes collectively termed heterogeneous reactions. These reactions occur when pesticide molecules adsorb onto aerosol surfaces and interact with atmospheric oxidants or photons. Key pathways include photolysis under solar irradiation and oxidation by species such as ozone and hydroxyl radicals. The kinetics of these processes govern pesticide lifetimes in the atmosphere, influence the formation of secondary pollutants and modify particle properties with implications for air quality, human health and climate forcing. Mixture effects and the role of photosensitising compounds further complicate the atmospheric fate of pesticide residues. A robust understanding of these heterogeneous mechanisms is essential for accurately modelling pesticide transport, transformation and environmental impact at regional to global scales.

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Heterogeneous Atmospheric Reactions of Organic Pesticides publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in heterogeneous atmospheric reactions of organic pesticides across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Heterogeneous reaction: A chemical reaction occurring at the interface between different phases, for example between a gas-phase oxidant and a solid or liquid particle surface.

Aerosol: A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air that can adsorb semi-volatile compounds and host surface chemistry.

Photolysis: The decomposition or chemical transformation of a compound induced by absorption of light, typically solar ultraviolet or visible radiation.

Hydroxyl radical (OH): A highly reactive atmospheric oxidant that initiates degradation of organic pollutants through hydrogen abstraction or addition reactions.

Uptake coefficient: The probability that a gas-phase molecule colliding with a particle surface will be taken up and react rather than being reflected.

Ozone (O₃): A triatomic allotrope of oxygen acting as a key oxidant in the atmosphere, capable of reacting with surface-bound organics.

References

1. Photolytic degradation of commonly used pesticides adsorbed on silica particles. The Science of The Total Environment (2024).
2. Influence of pesticide mixture on their heterogeneous atmospheric degradation by ozone and OH radicals. Environmental Pollution (2024).
3. Gas-phase pesticide measurement using iodide ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (2017).