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Theoretical model of global tropospheric OH distributions

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7234232

It is easy to estimate that the HO/sub x/ species (OH, HO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/O/sub 2/) have very short lifemes in the troposphere (on the order of a few seconds for OH and 10/sup 4/ seconds for HO/sub x/ = OH + HO/sub 2/ + H/sub 2/O/sub 2/). Based on this fact it is possible to derive a good estimate of the two dimensional (latitudinal and vertical) global distribution of tropospheric OH through quasi-equilibrium analysis. Diurnal OH concentrations for various latitudes and seasons were derived from measurements of temperature, water vapor, methane, carbon monoxide and ozone. These OH concentrations were then used to determine the tropospheric chemical lifetime for a number of halocarbons based on chemical degradation by OH radical reactions. These chemical lifetimes are important in determining possible alternates for currently used fluorocarbons.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
7234232
Report Number(s):
UCRL-78392; CONF-761118-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English