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The reaction probabilities of ClONO sub 2 and N sub 2 O sub 5 on polar stratospheric cloud materials

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/90JD02613· OSTI ID:5458042
;  [1]
  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO (USA)

The reaction probabilities, {gamma}, of ClONO{sub 2} and N{sub 2}O{sub 5} on ice and nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) surfaces were determined, using reactant concentrations that are typical of the lower stratosphere, by measuring the first-order reactant loss rate coefficients over the substrate located on the walls of a fast-flow reactor. Reactants were detected using chemical ionization mass spectrometry, a sensitive technique which allows the use of low reactant concentrations. The reaction probabilities obtained for ClONO{sub 2} are: 0.3 ({sub {minus}0.1}{sup +0.7}) on pure ice, 0.006 ({plus minus}30%) over a NAT surface, and 0.3 ({sub {minus}0.1}{sup +0.7}) on an HCl-doped NAT surface. Those for N{sub 2}O{sub 5} are: 0.024 ({plus minus}30%) on pure ice, 0.0006 ({plus minus}50%) on a NAT surface, and 0.0032 ({plus minus}30%) on an HCl-doped ice surface in a relatively short time, and the authors present arguments that this surface consisted of a NAT layer. The large differences between the results and previous measurements for some of these {gamma} can be attributed to the relatively large reactant concentrations used in the previous work. The major implications of this work for polar stratospheric chlorine activation are: an efficient loss of ClONO{sub 2} on pure ice surfaces, a very rapid rate for the reaction ClONO{sub 2} + HCl on NAT surfaces, and that pure ice surfaces will become passivated when coated with one monolayer of NAT crystal.

OSTI ID:
5458042
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 96:D3; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English