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.

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