Uncovering the dominant contribution of intermediate volatility compounds in secondary organic aerosol formation from biomass-burning emissions

Organic vapors from biomass burning are a large source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Previous smog chamber studies found that the SOA contributors in biomass-burning emissions are mainly volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While intermediate volatility organic compounds (IVOCs) are efficient SOA precursors and a considerable fraction of biomass-burning emissions, their contribution to SOA formation has not been directly observed. Here, by deploying a newly-developed oxidation flow reactor to study SOA formation from wood burning, we find that IVOCs can contribute ∼70% of the formed SOA, i.e., >2 times more than VOCs. This previously missing SOA fraction is interpreted to be due to the high wall losses of semi-volatile oxidation products of IVOCs in smog chambers. The finding in this study reveals that SOA production from biomass burning is much higher than previously thought, and highlights the urgent need for more research on the IVOCs from biomass burning and potentially other emission sources.