A persistent imbalance in HO x and NO x photochemistry of the upper troposphere driven by deep tropical convection
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: Convection in the tropics turns over the upper troposphere at rates (0.08 d −1 ) comparable to photochemical processes controlling the absolute abundance of HO x (OH + HO 2 ) and the abundance of NO x (NO + NO 2 ) relative to HNO 3 . Here we identify convection of boundary‐layer CH 3 OOH as a primary source of HO x to the upper troposphere. Turnover of NO x leads to NO/HNO 3 ratios much higher than predicted for local photochemical steady‐state. Through convective transport the upper troposphere is more photochemically active in producing O 3 , an important greenhouse gas.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/97gl03027
Authors: Michael J. Prather, Daniel J. Jacob
Institutions: University of California, Irvine, Harvard University
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2079222644