Dear Colleagues,

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are emitted into the atmosphere from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources, and formed in situ as products of atmospheric transformations. VOCs are of great interest because they participate to atmospheric photochemical reactions that contribute to the formation of secondary pollutants, such as ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). VOC emissions also mitigate climate change through SOA formation and are involved in climate feedback processes that are still very uncertain. The vegetation and the soil are significant sources of emissions of a variety of VOCs. On a global scale, biogenic sources are responsible for approximately 90% of VOC emissions, whereas 10% are attributed to human activities. Despite the large impact of the vegetation, several studies highlighted the importance of the soil on the global balance of the VOCs. In fact, soils can act as both sources and sinks for VOCs. Soil VOC emissions depend on the physico-chemical properties of the soil (soil moisture, pH, etc), the microbial composition and environmental conditions such as temperature, solar radiation, but also the type of land use. VOC emissions from soils can have a significant influence on ecosystem processes by stimulating or inhibiting plant growth. For example, many soil bacteria produce fungistatic VOCs that can harm plant roots, while other bacteria release VOCs that have a positive effect on plant growth. A global assessment of VOC emissions should therefore provide more information on the effects of soil type on their production, their role in soil functioning, and advance our understanding of the impact of soil VOC emission on air quality and climate. Soil also acts as a sink for ground-level ozone (O₃): it has been reported that soil is the main O₃ deposition pathway representing the 55% of the total O₃ deposition in the agricultural field. But the mechanisms describing the ozone deposition including its reactivity with soil VOCs are still poorly explored.

The aims of this Special Issue are to investigate:

• VOC emissions and deposition on soil as a function of all the biotic and abiotic parameters
• atmospheric chemistry involving VOCs emitted by soil
• ozone deposition on soil and reactivity
• aerosols emission and formation from soil

We encourage the submission of experimental studies as well as field observations and modeling approaches to contribute to this Special Issue in order to promote knowledge of soil VOCs impact on the atmosphere and soil functioning.

Dr. Raluca Ciuraru
Dr. Letizia Abis
Dr. Julien Kammer
Guest Editors

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• volatile organic compounds
• soil
• microbial VOC
• VOC deposition
• VOC reactivity
• ozone deposition
• aerosol emission and formation
• secondary organic aerosols