We propose a general transport theory for pheromone molecules in an atmosphere containing aerosols. Many pheromones are hydrophobic molecules containing polar groups. They are low volatile and have some properties similar to those of hydrotropes. They therefore form a nonsoluble film at the water–air interface of aerosols. The fate of a small pheromone puff in air is computed through reaction-diffusion equations. Partitioning of pheromones between the gas and the aerosol surface over time is studied for various climate conditions (available aerosol surface) and adsorption affinities (energy of adsorption). We show that, for adsorption energy above 30 k_BT per molecule, transport of pheromones on aerosols dominates over molecular transport typically 10 s after pheromone emission, even when few adsorbing aerosols are present. This new communication path for airborne chemicals leads to distinctive features including enhanced signal sensibility and increased persistence of pheromone concentration in the air due to slow diffusion of aerosols. Each aerosol droplet has the ability to adsorb thousands of pheromones to the surface, keeping a “history” of the atmospheric content between emission and reception. This new mechanism of pheromone transport leads to dramatic consequences on insect sensing revisiting the way we figure the capture of chemical signals.

中文翻译：

---

信息素在气溶胶上的吸附如何控制其运输

我们提出了在含有气溶胶的大气中信息素分子的一般运输理论。许多信息素是含有极性基团的疏水分子。它们具有低挥发性，并具有类似于水溶助长剂的某些性质。因此，它们在气溶胶的水-空气界面处形成不溶性薄膜。通过反应扩散方程计算出空气中少量信息素粉扑的结局。针对各种气候条件（可用的气溶胶表面）和吸附亲和力（吸附能量），研究了信息素在气体和气溶胶表面之间随时间的分配。我们表明，对于大于30 k _B T的吸附能对于每个分子，信息素在气溶胶上的运输通常比在信息素释放后10 s的分子运输要占优势，即使存在的吸附气溶胶很少。空气中化学物质的这种新的通讯路径带来了独特的功能，包括增强的信号敏感性和由于气溶胶的缓慢扩散而增加了空气中信息素浓度的持续性。每个气雾滴都有能力将数千个信息素吸附到表面，从而在发射和接收之间保持大气成分的“历史”。信息素运输的这种新机制给昆虫感应带来了巨大的后果，重新审视了我们对化学信号的捕获方式。