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Simultaneous, in situ measurements of OH, HO 2 , O 3 , and H 2 O: A test of modeled stratospheric HO x chemistry
Author(s) -
Wennberg P. O.,
Stimpfle R. M.,
Weinstock E. M.,
Dessler A. E.,
Lloyd S. A.,
Lapson L. B.,
Schwab J. J.,
Anderson J. G.
Publication year - 1990
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/gl017i011p01909
Subject(s) - mixing ratio , stratosphere , analytical chemistry (journal) , photodissociation , steady state (chemistry) , materials science , chemistry , physics , atmospheric sciences , environmental chemistry , photochemistry
Simultaneous, in situ measurements of OH, HO 2 , H 2 O, and O 3 from 37–23 km are reported. The partitioning between OH and HO 2 and the total HO x concentration are compared with expected steady‐state values. The ratio of HO 2 to OH varies from less than 2 at 36 km to more than 3 at 25 km; in the lower stratosphere this ratio is nearly a factor of two less than predicted. The data are used to calculate HO x production and loss rates. The measured HO x mixing ratio is consistent with production dominated by the reaction of O( 1 D) with H 2 O, and loss controlled by NO y below 28 km and HO x above 30 km. The steady‐state concentration of H 2 O 2 is inferred from the measured HO 2 concentration and calculated photolysis rate. The maximum H 2 O 2 mixing ratio (at 33 km) is predicted to be less than 0.2 ppb.