Global warming is occurring three times faster in the Arctic compared to the rest of the World. Many parameters affect the Arctic climate, including marine volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Marine VOCs are oxidized in the atmosphere forming aerosols. Globally, aerosols have a net cooling effect due to their ability to scatter light and their implication on formation and lifetime of clouds. However, the implications of aerosols on the Arctic climate remain unknown. By improving the knowledge of aerosols and precursors, better inputs can be made in climate models which can determine their implication on the Arctic climate as well as improve future predictions of the climate.
We investigate Arctic marine aerosol and water samples using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and VOCs using thermal desorption gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS).
Aerosols affect the radiation budget of the Earth by scattering of sunlight as well as affecting cloud formation and lifetime. In addition they may have detrimental health effects. The organic fraction of aerosols is the most complex and least understood. We investigate the sources and chemical composition of organic aerosols in relation to both their climate and environmental effects.
We have developed specific analysis methods of organic trace compounds in aerosols using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC qTOF-MS). We apply these methods to both laboratory and field studies of aerosol processes in collaboration with national and international research groups.
Plastic pollution is widely distributed in the environment and has been detected in oceans, rainwater, freshwater, lake sediments, soil, wildlife and in the human body. Recently, the presence of airborne microplastic particles has been discovered. However, sources and concentrations of atmospheric microplastics are poorly understood. A new hypothesis is that the ocean may act as a source of airborne microplastic particles via sea spray generation.
We are developing an analytical method to detect and quantify micro- and nanoplastics using pyrolysis gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS), and apply this method to investigate ocean-atmosphere transfer of microplastics.
Understanding how plants recognize each other is an important step toward uncovering how they communicate. This knowledge can help explain how competitive traits evolve in plants, which is relevant in both natural and agricultural ecological contexts.
As part of the project KNOWN (Know Thy Neighbor), we have developed a method to analyze the metabolite profile of root exudates from a large set of natural Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS).
This method is used to investigate the role of root exudates as signaling compounds in belowground plant communication. Gaining insight into these plant–plant interactions can be used to design more efficient crop varieties with higher yield potential, driven by cooperative interactions among plants.
Multivariate data analysis is a way to find patterns in large and complex datasets. Instead of looking at one thing at a time, it examines many factors at once — like temperature, pH, and the concentration of different substances in a sample.
It’s a bit like listening to an entire symphony instead of just one violin. By exploring how different measurements relate to each other, we can uncover hidden trends, group similar samples, or predict the properties of new ones.
In ACE, multivariate analysis is used to find patterns in root exudates from plants and in both air and water samples from the Arctic — anywhere large amounts of data need to be understood as a whole.
A transition toward more sustainable, green and environmentally friendly technologies in the production of insulation materials, is an ongoing topic in ROCKWOOL Group. In particular, the development of new lignin-based binder, for mineral wool products, is being conducted. In addition to the evaluation of the physicochemical properties, the understanding of the emissions profiles is integral for putting novel materials into use.
In this collaborative project between ROCKWOOL Group and Aarhus University we aim to obtain further insights into the chemical composition of the volatile organic compounds formed and emitted during the high temperature curing of the binder as well as into degradation products during specific conditions of use of the formed mineral wool product with the help of advanced analytical techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Due to careful choice of its constituents, the novel binder is expected to have a more benign emission profile and lead to greener production environment. This project is needed to investigate said assumption and to quantify the extent of changes. Improved understanding of the emission profile will facilitate binder implementation in the production and ascertain that existing legislation is being followed.
