Some aspects of the ozone-depletion problem in the stratosphere

A preliminary investigation of O3 depletion by NOx in the exhaust of an SST wake is presented. Initial calculations were made using a model employing a two-step chemistry mechanism consisting of an NOx catalytic cycle and assuming total NOx and the ratio NO/NO2 to be conserved. The results indicate O3 depletion in the wake much less severe than reported in earlier investigations which used a much larger reaction rate constant. Subsequent investigation revealed, however, that even the current O3 depletion rates appear too large. Because of the apparent deficiencies in the two-step chemical model, a model is presented with a more realistic chemical mechanism without the requirement for NO conservation. Results indicate that total NOx and initial NO/NO2 ratio play an important role in determining O3 depletion. Furthermore, only in the case of rather extreme concentrations of water vapor or unrealistically large photolysis rates is there any significant conversion of NOx to HNO3.