Detecting an unusual compound in the atmosphere that threatens life on Earth

Compounds called organic hydrotrioxide exist in the atmosphere and affect human life – Photo: SPUTNIK

The “mixture” of air we breathe on Earth isIt is made up of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon and 0.1% other gases. It’s a layer of gas trapped by Earth’s gravity. These gases surround and protect all existing life on Earth.

The study was published in the journal Science May 26th.

“These compounds exist and we don’t know about them. However, there is evidence that the compound was formed and remained ‘unstable’ for a certain amount of time on Earth,” transmission quote nChemist Henrik Grum Kjærgaard at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Hydrotrioxides are highly reactive, and scientists are studying whether they can form stable structures long-term in the atmosphere.

The interest is not just academic, as much of how Earth’s atmosphere – including its effects on human health – depends on how trace elements interact. in the atmosphere, according to the news agency Sputnik.

According to chemist Kristan Møller at the University of Copenhagen, most human activities lead to the release of chemicals into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is very important to identify chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Thereby, researchers can predict how human impacts will affect the atmosphere in the future.

The team’s investigations produced the first direct observations of hydrotrioxide. This compound forms in the atmosphere from certain substances present in our air. The study looked at how the compound is synthesized, how long it stays in the air we breathe, and how it breaks down.

The information revealed that a common organic compound called isoprene can react in the atmosphere, to produce about 10 million tons of hydrotrioxide annually. That’s just one possible source of the compound hydrotrioxide

The team’s calculations show that any compound can contribute to hydrotrioxide formation in the atmosphere, and that the compound remains intact for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. During that period, the hydrotrioxide can perform the role of a strong oxidizing agent in a variety of reactions.

Scientists expect further research to shed more light on the role of hydrotrioxide in our planet’s atmosphere.

“The air around us is a jumble of complex chemical reactions,” said researcher Jing Chen of the University of Copenhagen.