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Volatile Methylsiloxanes in the Environment pp 227–245Cite as

Atmospheric Fate of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes

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Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 89))

Abstract

Volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) are emitted primarily to air, and the bulk of VMS present in the environment resides in the atmosphere. Therefore, the atmospheric fate of VMS is a core component of the environmental chemistry of these chemicals. In this chapter the phase partitioning of VMS in the atmosphere is first examined, and then the different mechanisms by which they can be removed from the atmosphere are evaluated, both physical removal via deposition and chemical removal via reactions. We find that VMS are almost entirely present in gaseous form and that reaction with OH radicals is the dominant process for their removal. Consequently, for most purposes, the atmospheric fate of VMS can be simplified to three processes: the emission function, advection, and removal via reaction with OH radicals. However, each of these processes is complex, so we explore how mathematical models have been used to capture this complexity, quantify the expected atmospheric fate, and describe the variability of VMS concentrations in time and space.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Michael S. McLachlan

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  1. Michael S. McLachlan
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Correspondence to Michael S. McLachlan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Vera Homem

  2. LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Nuno Ratola

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McLachlan, M.S. (2018). Atmospheric Fate of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes. In: Homem, V., Ratola, N. (eds) Volatile Methylsiloxanes in the Environment. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 89. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2018_371

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