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Atmospheric observations of enhanced NO 2 ‐HONO conversion on mineral dust particles
Author(s) -
Wang Shuhui,
Ackermann Ralf,
Spicer Chester W.,
Fast Jerome D.,
Schmeling Martina,
Stutz Jochen
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl017014
Subject(s) - mineral dust , nitrous acid , troposphere , environmental science , radical , environmental chemistry , atmospheric sciences , mineral , dust storm , storm , aerosol , chemistry , meteorology , geology , inorganic chemistry , physics , organic chemistry
Nitrous acid is an important precursor for OH radicals in the polluted troposphere. The heterogeneous conversion of NO 2 to HONO, however, is currently not well understood. Measurements of HONO and NO 2 in Phoenix in summer 2001 using long path DOAS show ratios of chemically formed secondary [HONO] to [NO 2 ] that rarely exceeded 3%. During two nocturnal dust storm events, however, a significant increase of this ratio was observed. The unprecedented high ratios near 19% suggest a highly efficient NO 2 to HONO conversion process on mineral dust particles. The particle composition in Phoenix is similar to other mineral dusts, implying that the enhanced NO 2 conversion could be an important HONO, and therefore also OH, source in regions where pollution and dust storms coincide.