About
Dr Alam’s research focuses on understanding the chemistry of key atmospheric pollutants. His research involves interpreting laboratory and field measurements using numerical modelling, and improving the accuracy of chemistry within atmospheric models.
Qualifications
2007-2011 Ph.D Atmospheric Science. University of Birmingham
2003-2006 BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Pharmacology (Class I). University of Birmingham
Biography
Dr Alam obtained his BSc in Chemistry with Pharmacology (2006) and PhD in Atmospheric Science (2011) from the University of Birmingham. His PhD research included the study of gas phase reactions of alkenes and ozone and their implications in the Earth’s atmosphere; where he completed his laboratory studies at the European Photoreactor (EUPHORE) smog simulation chamber, Valencia, Spain. He is currently working as a Research Fellow continuing his interest in the measurement of key atmospheric pollutants and their interactions in the troposphere.
Research
-
Atmospheric chemistry and composition
-
Tropospheric oxidation reactions
-
Alkene ozonolysis
-
Air Pollution and Meteorology
-
Numerical modeling
-
Particulate Matter and Human Exposure
Current and Recent Research
Sources and atmospheric processes determining airborne concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their degradation products
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous organic pollutants, emitted into the atmosphere through incomplete combustion of organic materials. They are present in both gaseous and associated with particulate matter and are harmful to human health. PAHs can react with other constituents in the atmosphere which can lead to the formation of products such as quinones, which may be more toxic than their parent PAH.
The aim of this project was to determine the sources and atmospheric processes of airborne concentrations of PAH and their degradation products. This was completed by sampling from various monitoring stations throughout the UK using meteorological and air pollution instrumentation collecting environmental data and PAHs / quinones, respectively. The data collected was then subjected to Gas-Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis followed by interpretation using positive matrix factorisation.
Collaborators: Prof Roy Harrison, Dr Juana Maria Delgado-Saborit, Mr Christopher Stark
Total Radical Production and Degradation Products from Alkene Ozonolysis
Unsaturated VOCs (alkenes) are emitted to the atmosphere both anthropogenically and biogenically from natural sources. Alkenes react with ozone leading to the production of organic species such as HCHO, acetone and acetaldehyde, as well as radical species HO2, RO2 and OH. The formation of these radicals (HO2, RO2 and OH) is of significant interest, as it may influence the radical budget in the urban and rural environments; ultimately affecting the removal of pollutants and greenhouse gases, otherwise known as the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere.
The aim of this project was to directly observe the degradation products from selected alkene ozone reactions. The experiments were performed in an outdoor smog simulation chamber (EUPHORE) equipped with a range of instrumentation, including Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) and Chemical-Ionisation Time-Of-Flight Mass-Spectrometry (CIR-TOF-MS) to measure OH/HO2 and VOCs/OVOCs, respectively. The results were interpreted through detailed numerical modelling, drawing upon atmospheric models, namely the Master Chemical Mechanism. Reaction rate coefficients, humidity dependent radical yields and stable product yields were compared with those simulated, and implications for atmospheric oxidant levels were explored.
Collaborators: Dr William Bloss (PhD, Supervisor), Dr Andrew Rickard (Leeds), Dr Marie Camredon (Paris) and Prof Paul Monks (Leicester)
Interferences in commercial nitric oxide(s) analysers
Nitric oxide(s) (NO and NO2) are important air pollutants which drive hydrocarbon oxidation in the atmosphere. NOx abundance controls the levels of the atmospheric oxidants OH, NO3 and ozone, and also regulates the production of ozone resulting from the degradation of VOCs. Accurate measurement of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere is therefore of major importance in understanding the atmosphere. This project was designed to quantify the interference posed by alkenes, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in the nitric oxide mode of detection in commercial nitric oxide(s) analysers; and was achieved by testing a range of commercially available analysers at the EUPHORE smog simulation chamber.
Collaborators: Dr William Bloss, Dr James Lee (York), Dr Monica Varquez (Valencia)
Other activities
Royal Society of Chemistry: MRSC
Publications
M. S. Alam, M. Camredon, A. R. Rickard, T. Carr, K. Hornsby, K. P. Wyche, P. S. Monks and W. J. Bloss. Total radical yields from tropospheric ethene ozonolysis. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 13, 11002–11015, 2011
M. Camredon, J. F. Hamilton, M. S. Alam, K. P. Wyche, T. Carr, I. R. White, P. S. Monks, A. R. Rickard, and W. J. Bloss. Distribution of gaseous and particulate organic composition during dark α-pinene ozonolysis. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 2893–2917, 2010
M.S. Alam, A. R. Rickard, M. Camredon, T. Carr, K. P. Wyche, P. S. Monks and W. J. Bloss. Ozonolysis of short-chain Alkenes – Kinetics & Stable Product Yields. J. Phys. Chem. (In preparation).
M.S. Alam, M. Camredon, A. R. Rickard, K. P. Wyche, T. Carr, K. Hornsby, P. S. Monks and W. J. Bloss. Radical Production from the ozonolysis of alkenes. J. Phys. Chem. (In preparation).
W.J. Bloss, M.S. Alam, J.D. Lee, M. Martinez. Alkene interference in chemiluminscent NOx measurements. Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss. (In preparation).
J.M. Delgado-Saborit, Krystal J. Godri, M.S. Alam, C. Stark, R.M. Harrison. Simultaneous determination of quinones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gaseous and particulate phases in ambient air. Environ. Sci. Tech. (In preparation).