Ion chemistry of the middle atmosphere

Difficulties in making in situ and laboratory measurements of the ion composition of the middle atmosphere are related. An approach is presented which extends theoretical and laboratory results for both negative and positive ions from the D-region down to the stratosphere. In each case, the extension of data from the D-region 'down' to the higher pressure stratosphere is primarily a matter of inquiring into the role of the minor constituents whose absolute concentrations become large enough to allow them to become involved in the ion chemistry.