Comparing atmospheric [HO_2]/[OH] to modeled [HO_2]/[OH]: Identifying discrepancies with reaction rates
Abstract
Reactions that inter-convert OH and HO_2 are directly involved in the catalytic removal of O_3 in the lower stratosphere and in the catalytic production of O_3 in the upper troposphere. The agreement between the measured and modeled [HO_2]/[OH] tests our current understanding of this important chemistry. Recent changes to the recommended rate constants for OH+O_3 and HO_2+O_3 call into question how accurately the chemistry of the stratosphere is understood. [HO_2]/[OH] calculated with the new recommendations is 48% higher than the observations throughout the lower stratosphere, exceeding the uncertainty limits of the observations (20%). The extensive atmospheric data set allows tests of the rates of the individual processes that couple these free radicals. This work shows that the discrepancy is largest when the ratio is controlled by the reactions of OH and HO_2 with ozone.
Additional Information
© 2001 American Geophysical Union. Received August 28, 2000; revised December 14, 2000; accepted December 18, 2000. Paper number 2000GL012264.Attached Files
Published - grl14181.pdf
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Additional details
- Alternative title
- Comparing atmospheric [HO2]/[OH] to modeled [HO2]/[OH]: Identifying discrepancies with reaction rates
- Eprint ID
- 46473
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20140624-130608495
- Created
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2014-06-24Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences