The response of C1O radical concentrations to variations in NO2 radical concentrations in the lower stratosphere

The respose of ClO concentrations to changes in NO2 concentrations has been inferred from simultaneous observations of (ClO), (NO), (NO2) and (O3) in the midlatitude lower stratosphere. This analysis demonstrates that (ClO) is inversely correlated with (NO2), consistent with formation and photolysis of (ClONO2). A factor of ten range in the concentration if NO2 was sampled (0.1 to 1 x 10(exp 9) mol/cu cm), with a comparable range in the ratio of (ClO) to total available inorganic chlorine (1% less than or equal to (ClO)/(Cl(sub y)) less than or equal to 5%. This analysis leads to an estimate of (ClONO2)/(Cl(sub y)) = 0.12 (x/2), in the mid-latitude, lower-stratospheric air masses sampled.