Snow‐Induced Perturbations in Nitrous Acid (HONO) Levels: Insights Into Heterogeneous Reactions During Wintertime in Mid‐Latitude Regions
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Nitrous acid (HONO) governs wintertime hydroxyl radical (OH) production, critically linking radical cycling, tropospheric oxidative capacity, and air pollution. During a mid‐latitude snowfall event, rapid HONO enrichment was observed alongside concurrent depletion of other pollutants. This unexpected phenomenon is attributed to heterogeneous reactions on fresh snow's high surface area, an interpretation supported by HONO budget parameterization. In contrast, aged snowpack exhibited negligible production potential, contradicting prior snowpack source identifications. This divergence arises from snow aging processes that reduce surface area and alter chemical reactivity. These findings reveal previously unrecognized meteorology‐chemistry interactions, underscoring further investigation into these complex processes.
Source: Geophysical Research Letters
DOI: 10.1029/2024gl113896
Institutions: Jinan University, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Joint Laboratory of Collaborative Innovation for Environmental Quality, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, Peking University, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tianjin University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W4413120755