The main purpose of this report is to present a solution to the problem of how the observed quasi-stationary downward flow of ions through a potential difference between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere, ions which originate below the potential difference, can be understood. First, a summary of the observations of downward accelerated ions with keV or sub-keV energies at altitudes of ~1700 km is given and the mechanism causing the accelerating quasi-static potential difference is described. Thereafter it is shown that the ionospheric ions may be transported upward through the potential region in a process sometimes called the pressure-cooker mechanism involving wave turbulence within the region. The turbulence also gives rise to pitch-angle scattering of the ions so that a fraction of them are precipitated into the altitude range where they are observed by the satellite. This process gives the observed spectral characteristics of the accelerated ions.