An Atmospheric Constraint on the NO2 Dependence of Daytime Near-Surface Nitrous Acid (HONO)

Environ Sci Technol. 2015 Nov 3;49(21):12774-81. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02511. Epub 2015 Oct 14.

Abstract

Recent observations suggest a large and unknown daytime source of nitrous acid (HONO) to the atmosphere. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed, many of which involve chemistry that reduces nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on some time scale. To examine the NO2 dependence of the daytime HONO source, we compare weekday and weekend measurements of NO2 and HONO in two U.S. cities. We find that daytime HONO does not increase proportionally to increases in same-day NO2, i.e., the local NO2 concentration at that time and several hours earlier. We discuss various published HONO formation pathways in the context of this constraint.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere / chemistry*
  • California
  • Cities
  • Fluorescence
  • Nitrogen Dioxide / analysis*
  • Nitrous Acid / analysis*
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Nitrogen Dioxide
  • Nitrous Acid