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Donaldson et al. 1997
Donaldson, D.J., Frost, G.J., Rosenlof, K.H., Tuck, A.F. and Vaida, V. (1997). Atmospheric radical production by excitation of vibrational overtones via absorption of visible light. Geophysical Research Letters 24: doi: 10.1029/97GL02663. issn: 0094-8276.

We present calculations using a radiative transfer model which predict that in the lower stratosphere at high zenith angles, significant enhancements to the photodissociation rates of HNO3 and HNO4 can result from visible wavelength excitation of OH overtone vibrations containing sufficient energy to cleave the O-O and N-O bonds. The results indicate that atmospheric chromophores such as HONO2, HO2NO2 and H2O2; could make a potentially significant contribution to the production of HOx and NOx. Calculating the relative importance of their effect requires better knowledge of the absolute absorption cross sections, both for vibrational overtones and in the near UV. Stratospheric air masses in which this process could be important are those that experience lengthy exposure at high solar zenith angles: the outer regions of the polar winter vortex and the polar summer anticyclone. We note that the general mechanism may have application elsewhere, such as in the atmospheres of other planets and in generating the diffuse interstellar bands associated with molecular clouds.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union

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Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Chemical kinetic and photochemical properties, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Constituent sources and sinks, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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