Reactions on sulphuric acid aerosol and on polar stratospheric clouds in the Antarctic stratosphere

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91GL01158· OSTI ID:5642758

Wolff, E W; Mulvaney, R

Heterogeneous chemistry producing active chlorine has been identified as crucial to Antarctic ozone depletion. Most attention has focused on reactions on solid polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles, although there is still no satisfactory understanding of the microchemical incorporation of HCl in PSCs. The alternative mechanism involving sulphuric acid aerosol as the reaction surface has been considered at lower latitudes, but its role in the special conditions of the polar stratosphere has been largely ignored. Recent data from the Antarctic stratosphere have suggested the HCl is present in sulphuric acid aerosol that remains liquid even at the lowest stratospheric temperatures. The available laboratory data show that cold, relatively dilute, sulphuric acid is particularly able to take up HCl that is available for reaction provided the aerosol remains liquid. Fast heterogeneous reaction rates compared to those at mid-latitudes will produce active chlorine rapidly. Since the aerosol is present with significant surface area throughout the lower stratosphere, it should be very effective for heterogeneous reaction once temperatures drop. These surfaces, rather than PSCs, could host the initial conversion of Cl to its active form over the Antarctic.

• OSTI ID: 5642758
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 18:6; ISSN GPRLA; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CATALYSIS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORINE
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CHLORINE OXIDES
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENS
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
KINETICS
LAYERS
LIQUIDS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE LAYER
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
POLAR REGIONS
REACTION KINETICS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFURIC ACID
SURFACE AREA
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE