Hydroxyl radicals -- oxidation in the troposphere
- Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
The major oxidant for many volatile organic chemicals in the troposphere is hydroxyl radical formed by solar UV attack on tropospheric ozone. Measurement of HO concentrations around 10{sup 6} cm{sup -3} is difficult, but global effects can be calibrated through the observed atmospheric lifetimes of anthropogenic molecules such as CH{sub 3}CCl{sub 3} and CCl{sub 2}=CCl{sub 2}. Most simple hydrocarbons are released chiefly in the northern hemisphere and display marked seasonal variations and strong north/south gradients. In cities, the combination of emissions of hydrocarbons and NO{sub x} lead to the formation of elevated ozone concentrations, an important component of smog. A comparable situation occurs in the tropics during the burning of forests and/or agricultural wastes.
- OSTI ID:
- 215099
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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