Multiphase modeling of nitrate photochemistry in the quasi-liquid layer (QLL): implications for NOx release from the Arctic and coastal Antarctic snowpack

Item

Title (Dublin Core)

Description (Dublin Core)

We utilize a multiphase model, CON-AIR (Condensed Phase to Air Transfer Model), to show that the photochemistry of nitrate (NO3−) in and on ice and snow surfaces, specifically the quasi-liquid layer (QLL), can account for NOx volume fluxes, concentrations, and [NO]/[NO2] (γ=[NO]/[NO2]) measured just above the Arctic and coastal Antarctic snowpack. Maximum gas phase NOx volume fluxes, concentrations and γ simulated for spring and summer range from 5.0×104 to 6.4×105 molecules cm−3 s−1, 5.7×108 to 4.8×109 molecules cm−3, and ~0.8 to 2.2, respectively, which are comparable to gas phase NOx volume fluxes, concentrations and γ measured in the field. The model incorporates the appropriate actinic solar spectrum, thereby properly weighting the different rates of photolysis of NO3− and NO2−. This is important since the immediate precursor for NO, for example, NO2−, absorbs at wavelengths longer than nitrate itself. Finally, one-dimensional model simulations indicate that both gas phase boundary layer NO and NO2 exhibit a negative concentration gradient as a function of height although [NO]/[NO2] are approximately constant. This gradient is primarily attributed to gas phase reactions of NOx with halogens oxides (i.e. as BrO and IO), HOx, and hydrocarbons, such as CH3O2.

Creator (Dublin Core)

Boxe, C. S.

Saiz-Lopez, A.

Date (Dublin Core)

2018-01-15

Type (Dublin Core)

Text

Format (Dublin Core)

application/pdf

Identifier (Dublin Core)

10.5194/acp-8-4855-2008

https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/8/4855/2008/

Source (Dublin Core)

eISSN: 1680-7324

Language (Dublin Core)

eng