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Anomalous HNO3/NO(x) ratio of remote tropospheric air: Conversion of nitric acid to formic acid and NO(x)?The N oxidation ratio, (HNO3)/(NO(x)), in the free troposphere is measured at approx. 1 to 9 (averaging approx. 5), consistently lower than the values of 15-100 which known theory suggests to be reached rapidly. This discrepancy casts doubt on current models' abilities to predict effects of NO sources on remote (NO), and so also (O3) and (OH). HNO3-to-NO(x) recycling processes involving HCHO in solution are appealing explanations for the ratio. Known chemical theory are illustrated using a Lagrangian box model of the mid-troposphere which simulates characteristic episodes form NO(x) input to HNO3 washout. Ratio and budget constraint equations for No(y) can usefully restrict conceivable explanations of missing chemistry of fast nitrogen cycling; most explanations could be called 'fast-cycles' or 're-NO(x)-ification.' These equations also show how current global models may suggest spuriously good N oxidation ratios and errors in OH. Aerosol or cloud droplets reactions with HCHO may produce (a) formic acid (which needs an appropriate source) and NO(x), or alternatively, (b) hydroxymethyl nitrate (or methyl dinitrate), which might supply a large, variable amount of 'missing NO(y) not currently measurable except by NO(y) instruments.
Document ID
19950048110
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Chatfield, Robert B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 21
Issue: 24
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
95A79709
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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