Description du sujet de thèse

Study of the Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds and Particle Formation Following Permafrost Thaw

This PhD work will involve conducting laboratory experiments to study and characterize the emission of volatile organic compounds, as well as particle formation, using mass spectrometry. It will also involve analyzing data generated during laboratory experiments and measurement campaigns.

Contexte de travail

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and atmospheric oxidants play an essential role in tropospheric chemistry, notably by forming organic particles.
Ultrafine particles, in particular, are ubiquitous and have major impacts on climate change and air quality. Organic compounds formed during VOC oxidation represent the largest mass fraction of fine particles. However, the formation processes and precursors remain uncertain, especially in remote regions such as the Arctic. This lack of knowledge is largely due to existing gaps in our understanding of the sources of atmospheric particle precursors. This project aims to demonstrate that permafrost thaw can release reactive gaseous species that influence particle formation in the Arctic.

The project focuses on gas emissions linked to permafrost thaw, where this vast source of organic matter is expected to have significant consequences on atmospheric composition. Building on recent technological advances and using cutting-edge mass spectrometry techniques, this work will help us understand the chemical processes currently occurring in the Arctic, as well as those expected in a warming climate. To achieve this, fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and modeling studies will be conducted to establish the central role of permafrost in VOC emissions and its impact on new particle formation in the Arctic.

IRCELYON is a joint research unit between the CNRS and the University of Lyon. It brings together the region's expertise in heterogeneous catalysis to form the largest catalysis laboratory in France and Europe. The laboratory includes 115 permanent researchers from the CNRS and the University of Lyon, along with a similar number of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
As an academic research laboratory fully dedicated to heterogeneous processes, IRCELYON focuses its research on sustainable development challenges. More specifically, the CARE team positions itself at the intersection of several major societal issues related to water resources, waste valorization, air quality, and climate change. Its fundamental and applied research is built on the combination of strong expertise and access to innovative and high-performance analytical tools to characterize, eliminate, and valorize pollutants.
At the interface of environmental science, heterogeneous catalysis, analytical chemistry, and electrochemistry, the CARE team develops innovative remediation methods (photocatalysis, electrochemical promotion of catalysis, etc.), process coupling (catalysis-photocatalysis, catalysis-electrochemistry, etc.), and chemical analysis (high-resolution mass spectrometry) for the study of atmospheric processes.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

Field campaigns in remote places