Importance of tropospheric ClNO2 chemistry across the Northern Hemisphere. Issue 11 (2nd June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarwar, Golam; Simon, Heather; Xing, Jia; Mathur, Rohit
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 41:Issue 11(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 4050
• Page End: 4058
• Publication Date: 2014-06-02
• Subjects: Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL059962
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Laboratory and field experiments have revealed that uptake of dinitrogen pentoxide (N₂O₅) on aerosols containing chloride produces nitryl chloride (ClNO₂) and nitric acid. We incorporate heterogeneous ClNO₂ formation into the hemispheric Community Multiscale Air Quality model. This heterogeneous chemistry substantially enhances ClNO₂ levels in several areas of the Northern Hemisphere and alters the composition of airborne reactive nitrogen, comprising more than 15% of monthly mean values in some areas. Model results suggest that this heterogeneous chemistry reduces monthly mean total nitrate by up to 25% and enhances monthly mean daily maximum 8 h ozone by up to 7.0 ppbv. The pathway also enhances hydroxyl radical by more than 20% in some locations which in turn increases sulfate and other secondary pollutants. The largest ClNO₂ concentrations and impacts occur over China and Western Europe, two areas in which few relevant field measurements have been made.</p> </abstract>