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Oceanic alkyl nitrates as a natural source of tropospheric ozone
Author(s) -
Neu Jessica L.,
Lawler Michael J.,
Prather Michael J.,
Saltzman Eric S.
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2008gl034189
Subject(s) - troposphere , atmospheric sciences , tropospheric ozone , environmental science , ozone , nitrate , climatology , chemical transport model , atmospheric chemistry , environmental chemistry , oceanography , chemistry , meteorology , geology , geography , organic chemistry
Observations have revealed widespread emissions of alkyl nitrates from the tropical and Southern Oceans. We present the first chemical transport model simulations to examine the global impact of these emissions. Matching observed atmospheric abundances, we derive a total oceanic flux of methyl nitrate (MeONO 2 ) and ethyl nitrate (EtONO 2 ) equivalent to 0.35 Tg of N per year, which contributes as much as 1 DU to the tropospheric ozone column in the Western Pacific and is responsible for about 3% of the global oxidative capacity of the troposphere.