Publication Abstracts

Jorba et al. 2012

Jorba, O., D. Dabdub, C. Boxe, C. Pérez, Z. Janjic, and J. Baldasano, 2012: Potential significance of photoexcited NO2 on global air quality with the NMMB/BSC chemical transport model. J. Geophys. Res., 117, no. D13, D13301, doi:10.1029/2012JD017730.

Atmospheric chemists have recently focused on the relevance of the NO2* + H2O → OH + HONO reaction to local air quality. This chemistry has been considered not relevant for the troposphere from known reaction rates until nowadays. New experiments suggested a rate of 1.7×10-13 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 (Li et al., 2008), which is an order of magnitude faster than the previously estimated upper limit of 1.2×10-14 cm3 molecule-1 s-1, determined by Crowley and Carl (1997). Using the new global model, NMMB/BSC Chemical Transport Model (NMMB/BSC-CTM), simulations are presented that assess the potential significance of this chemistry on global air quality. Results show that if the NO2* chemistry is considered following the upper limit kinetics recommended by Crowley and Carl (1997), it produces an enhancement of ozone surface concentrations of 4-6 ppbv in rural areas and 6-15 ppbv in urban locations, reaching a maximum enhancement of 30 ppbv in eastern Asia. Moreover, NO2 enhancements are minor (<0.01 ppbv) in background regions and reach maximum daytime values of 1-6 ppbv. Similarly, HONO exhibits negligible increases, 8-9 pptv in urban settings. Enhancements in the concentration of OH are around 14-17×105 molec cm-3. Decreases in the concentration of O3 and its precursors are also identified but to a lesser degree. In order to quantify the role of the two kinetic rates measured, model simulations are compared after incorporating both reaction rates. Maximum O3 difference enhancements from 5 to 10 ppbv are modeled over locations where high NOx emissions are present; however, differences are small in most parts of the globe.

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BibTeX Citation

@article{jo05100g,
  author={Jorba, O. and Dabdub, D. and Boxe, C. and Pérez, C. and Janjic, Z. and Baldasano, J.},
  title={Potential significance of photoexcited NO2 on global air quality with the NMMB/BSC chemical transport model},
  year={2012},
  journal={Journal of Geophysical Research},
  volume={117},
  number={D13},
  pages={D13301},
  doi={10.1029/2012JD017730},
}

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RIS Citation

TY  - JOUR
ID  - jo05100g
AU  - Jorba, O.
AU  - Dabdub, D.
AU  - Boxe, C.
AU  - Pérez, C.
AU  - Janjic, Z.
AU  - Baldasano, J.
PY  - 2012
TI  - Potential significance of photoexcited NO2 on global air quality with the NMMB/BSC chemical transport model
JA  - J. Geophys. Res.
JO  - Journal of Geophysical Research
VL  - 117
IS  - D13
SP  - D13301
DO  - 10.1029/2012JD017730
ER  -

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