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Formation of HNO 3 and NO 3 − in the anthropogenically‐influenced eastern Mediterranean marine boundary layer
Author(s) -
Vrekoussis M.,
Liakakou E.,
Mihalopoulos N.,
Kanakidou M.,
Crutzen P. J.,
Lelieveld J.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1029/2005gl025069
Subject(s) - layer (electronics) , boundary layer , environmental science , mediterranean climate , oceanography , geology , atmospheric sciences , physics , materials science , geography , nanotechnology , archaeology , thermodynamics
To investigate the seasonal behaviour of nitrate radicals (NO 3 ) as a source of nitric acid (HNO 3 ) and particulate nitrate (NO 3 − ) in the eastern Mediterranean atmosphere, we conducted NO 3 measurements on the island of Crete for more than two years. Ancillary measurements of chemical compounds and meteorological parameters were used to analyse the observations. Nighttime production of HNO 3 plus NO 3 − , as initiated by NO 3 radicals, accounts for about 50–65% of the total production rate depending on season. The remainder is produced by the hydroxyl radical (OH) reaction with nitrogen dioxide during daytime. On a yearly mean basis, about 17% of the HNO 3 plus NO 3 − formation results from the reaction of NO 3 radicals with dimethylsulfide of marine origin. This shows important interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic compounds contributing to nutrient deposition to the sea.