Atmospheric Chemistry of Meteoric Metals

Dissecting the Photochemical Reactivity of Metal Ions during Atmospheric Nitrate Transformations on Photoactive Mineral Dust

Dissecting the photochemical reactivity of metal ions is a significant contribution to understanding secondary pollutant formation, as they have a role to be reckoned with atmospheric chemistry. However, their photochemical reactivity has received limited attention within the active nitrogen cycle, particularly at the gas-solid interface. In this study, we delve into the contribution of magnesium ion (Mg2+) and ferric ion (Fe3+) to nitrate decomposition on the surface of photoactive mineral dust. Under simulated sunlight irradiation, the observed NOX production rate differs by an order of magnitude in the presence of Mg2+ (6.02 × 10-10 mol s-1) and Fe3+ (2.07 × 10-11 mol s-1). The markedly decreased fluorescence lifetime induced by Mg2+ and the change in the valence of Fe3+ revealed that Mg2+ and Fe3+ significantly affect the concentration of nitrate decomposition products by distinct photochemical reactivity with photogenerated electrons. Mg2+ promotes NOX production by accelerating charge transfer, while Fe3+ hinders nitrate decomposition by engaging in a redox cyclic reaction with Fe2+ to consume photogenerated carriers continuously. Furthermore, when Fe3+ coexists with other metal ions (e.g., Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, and K+) and surpasses a proportion of approximately 12%, the photochemical reactivity of Fe3+ tends to be dominant in depleting photogenerated electrons and suppressing nitrate decomposition. Conversely, below this threshold, the released NOX concentration increases sharply as the proportion of Fe3+ decreases. This research offers valuable insights into the role of metal ions in nitrate transformation and the generation of reactive nitrogen species, contributing to a deep understanding of atmospheric photochemical reactions.

Temperature-Dependent Kinetics for the Reactions of Fen- (n = 2-17) and FexNiy- (x + y = 3-9) with O2: Comparison of Pure and Mixed Metal Clusters with Relevance to Meteor Radio Afterglows and Surface Oxidation

Rate constants and product branching fractions were measured from 300-600 K for Fen- + O2 (n = 2-17) and for 300-500 K for FexNiy- + O2 (x + y = 3-9) using a selected-ion flow tube (SIFT) apparatus. Rate constants for 46 species are reported. All rate constants increased with increasing temperature, and several were in excess of the Langevin-Gioumousis-Stevenson (LGS) capture rate at elevated temperatures. As with previously studied transition metal anion oxidation reactions, the collision limit is treated as the sum of the LGS limit along with a hard-sphere contribution, allowing for determination of activation energies. These values are compared to each other along with previous results for Nin-. Measured rate constants for all three series (Fen-, Nin-, and FexNy-) vary over a relatively narrow range (1-5 × 10-10 cm3 s-1 at 300 K) being at least 15% of the collision rate constant. All reaction rate constants increase with temperature, described by small activation energies of 0.5-4 kJ mol-1. The data are consistent with an anticorrelation between the electron binding energy and rate constant, previously noted in other systems. The Fen- reaction produces a larger population of higher energy electrons than do the Nin- reactions, with FexNiy- producing an intermediate amount. The results suggest that the overall rate constant is limited by a small energetic barrier located at a large internuclear distance where electrostatic forces dominate, causing the potentials to be similar across systems, while the product formation is determined by the shorter-range, valence portion of the potential, which varies widely between systems.

Kinetics of O3 with Ca+ and Its Higher Oxides CaOn+ (n = 1-3) and Updates to a Model of Meteoric Calcium in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

The room-temperature rate constants and product branching fractions of CaO_n⁺ (n = 0-3) + O₃ are measured using a selected ion flow tube apparatus. Ca⁺ + O₃ produces CaO⁺ + O₂ with k = 9 ± 4 × 10^-10 cm³ s^-1, within uncertainty equal to the Langevin capture rate constant. This value is significantly larger than several literature values. Most likely, those values were underestimated due to the reformation of Ca⁺ from the sequential chemistry of higher calcium oxide cations with O₃, as explored here. A rate constant of 8 ± 3 × 10^-10 cm³ s^-1 is recommended. Both CaO⁺ and CaO₂⁺ react near the capture rate constant with ozone. The CaO⁺ reaction yields both CaO₂⁺ + O₂ (0.80 ± 0.15 branching) and Ca⁺ + 2O₂. Similarly, the CaO₂⁺ reaction yields both CaO₃⁺ + O₂ (0.85 ± 0.15 branching) and CaO⁺ + 2O₂. CaO₃⁺ + O₃ yield CaO₂⁺ + 2O₂ at 2 ± 1 × 10^-11 cm³ s^-1, about 2% of the capture rate constant. The results are supported using density functional calculations and statistical modeling. In general, CaO_n⁺ + O₃ yield CaO_n+1⁺ + O₂, the expected oxidation. Some fraction of CaO_n+1⁺ is produced with sufficient internal energy to further dissociate to CaO_n-1⁺ + O₂, yielding the same products as the oxidation of O₃ by CaO_n⁺. Mesospheric Ca and Ca⁺ concentrations are modeled as functions of day, latitude, and altitude using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM); incorporating the updated rate constants improves agreement with concentrations derived from lidar measurements.

Gas-Phase Reactivity of Ozone with Lanthanide Ions (Sm+, Nd+) and Their Higher Oxides

The kinetics of SmO_n⁺ (n = 0-2) and NdO_n⁺ (n = 0-2) with O₃ are measured using a selected-ion flow tube. Reaction of Nd⁺ to yield NdO⁺ + O₂ occurs rapidly, with a rate constant near the capture-controlled limit of ∼8 × 10^-10 cm³ s^-1. NdO⁺ reacts at ∼40% of the capture limit to yield NdO₂⁺ with little temperature dependence from 200 to 400 K. NdO₂⁺ likely reacts very slowly (k ∼ 10^-13 cm³ s^-1) to yield NdO⁺ + 2O₂, does not react to yield NdO₃⁺, and associates slowly (k ∼ 10^-12 cm³ s^-1) to yield NdO₂⁺(O₃)_1-3. Reaction of Sm⁺ also yields SmO⁺ at near the capture limit at all temperatures, but a significant fraction (∼50%) of the SmO⁺ is produced in excited states that are long-lived compared to the millisecond time scale of the experiment. These states are evidently resistant to both radiative and collisional relaxation. The excited-state production is likely due to a spin-conservation constraint on the reaction, despite the large spin-orbit coupling typical for lanthanide-containing species. Ground-state SmO⁺ reacts inefficiently (k = 2 × 10^-11 (T/300)^-2.5 cm³ s^-1) to yield SmO₂⁺ + O₂, while the excited-state SmO^+* reacts at the capture limit, with branching to yield Sm⁺ + 2O₂ (ΔH_r,0K = 148.7 ± 0.4 kJ mol^-1 for ground-state SmO⁺) approximately 60% of the time, the remainder forming SmO₂⁺, which further reacts with O₃ to yield SmO⁺ at about 1% of the collisional value.

The reaction between HgBr and O3: kinetic study and atmospheric implications

The rate constants of many reactions currently considered to be important in the atmospheric chemistry of mercury remain to be measured in the laboratory. Here we report the first experimental determination of the rate constant of the gas-phase reaction between the HgBr radical and ozone, for which a value at room temperature of k(HgBr + O₃) = (7.5 ± 0.6) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule s^-1 (1σ) has been obtained. The rate constants of two reduction side reactions were concurrently determined: k(HgBr + O) = (5.3 ± 0.4) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule s^-1 and k(HgBrO + O) = (9.1 ± 0.6) × 10^-11 cm³ molecule s^-1. The value of k(HgBr + O₃) is slightly lower than the collision number, confirming the absence of a significant energy barrier. Considering the abundance of ozone in the troposphere, our experimental rate constant supports recent modelling results suggesting that the main atmospheric fate of HgBr is reaction with ozone to form BrHgO.

First Simultaneous Lidar Observations of Thermosphere-Ionosphere Fe and Na (TIFe and TINa) Layers at McMurdo (77.84°S, 166.67°E), Antarctica With Concurrent Measurements of Aurora Activity, Enhanced Ionization Layers, and Converging Electric Field

We report the first simultaneous, common-volume lidar observations of thermosphere-ionosphere Fe (TIFe) and Na (TINa) layers in Antarctica. We also report the observational discovery of nearly one-to-one correspondence between TIFe and aurora activity, enhanced ionization layers, and converging electric fields. Distinctive TIFe layers have a peak density of ~384 cm-3 and the TIFe mixing ratio peaks around 123 km, ~5 times the mesospheric layer maximum. All evidence shows that Fe+ ion-neutralization is the major formation mechanism of TIFe layers. The TINa mixing ratio often exhibits a broad peak at TIFe altitudes, providing evidence for in situ production via Na+ neutralization. However, the tenuous TINa layers persist long beyond TIFe disappearance and reveal gravity wave perturbations, suggesting a dynamic background of neutral Na, but not Fe, above 110 km. The striking differences between distinct TIFe and diffuse TINa suggest differential transport between Fe and Na, possibly due to mass separation.

Kinetic Study of the Reactions PO + O2 and PO2 + O3 and Spectroscopy of the PO Radical

The kinetics of the reactions of PO with O₂ and PO₂ with O₃ were studied at temperatures ranging from ∼190 to 340 K, using a pulsed laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. For the reaction of PO + O₂, there is evidence of both a two- and three-body exit channel, producing PO₂ + O and PO₃, respectively. Potential energy surfaces of both the PO + O₂ and PO₂ + O₃ systems were calculated using electronic structure theory and combined with RRKM calculations to explain the observed pressure and temperature dependences. For PO + O₂, at pressures typical of a planetary upper atmosphere where meteoric ablation of P will occur, the reaction is effectively pressure independent with a yield of PO₂ + O of >99%; the rate coefficient can be expressed by log₁₀(k, 120-500 K, cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1) = -13.915 + 2.470 log₁₀(T) - 0.5020(log₁₀(T))², with an uncertainty of ±10% over the experimental temperature range (191-339 K). With increasing pressure, the yield of PO₃ increases, reaching ∼90% at a pressure of 1 atm and T = 300 K. For PO₂ + O₃, k(188-339 K) = 3.7 × 10^-11 exp^(-1131/T) cm³ molecule^-1 s^-1, with an uncertainty of ±26% over the stated temperature range. Laser-induced fluorescence spectra of PO over the wavelength range 245-248 nm were collected and simulated using pgopher to obtain new spectroscopic constants for the ground and v = 1 vibrational levels of the X²Π and A²Σ⁺ states of PO.

Origins and Spatial Distribution of Non-Pure Sulfate Particles (NSPs) in the Stratosphere Detected by the Balloon-Borne Light Optical Aerosols Counter (LOAC)

While water and sulfuric acid droplets are the main component of stratospheric aerosols, measurements performed for about 30 years have shown that non-sulfate particles (NSPs) are also present. Such particles, released from the Earth mainly through volcanic eruptions, pollution or biomass burning, or coming from space, present a wide variety of compositions, sizes, and shapes. To better understand the origin of NSPs, we have performed measurements with the Light Optical Aerosol Counter (LOAC) during 151 flights under weather balloons in the 2013–2019 period reaching altitudes up to 35 km. Coupled with previous counting measurements conducted over the 2004–2011 period, the LOAC measurements indicate the presence of stratospheric layers of enhanced concentrations associated with NSPs, with a bimodal vertical repartition ranging between 17 and 30 km altitude. Such enhancements are not correlated with permanent meteor shower events. They may be linked to dynamical and photophoretic effects lifting and sustaining particles coming from the Earth. Besides, large particles, up to several tens of μm, were detected and present decreasing concentrations with increasing altitudes. All these particles can originate from Earth but also from meteoroid disintegrations and from the interplanetary dust cloud and comets.

The intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms through the modulation of atmospheric tides

We present a multi-instrument experiment to study the effects of tropospheric thunderstorms on the mesopause region and the lower ionosphere. Sodium (Na) lidar and ionospheric observations by two digital ionospheric sounders are used to study the variation in the neutral metal atoms and metallic ions above thunderstorms. An enhanced ionospheric sporadic E layer with a downward tidal phase is observed followed by a subsequent intensification of neutral Na number density with an increase of 600 cm^-3 in the mesosphere. In addition, the Na neutral chemistry and ion-molecule chemistry are considered in a Na chemistry model to simulate the dynamical and chemical coupling processes in the mesosphere and ionosphere above thunderstorms. The enhanced Na layer in the simulation obtained by using the ionospheric observation as input is in agreement with the Na lidar observation. We find that the intensification of metallic layered phenomena above thunderstorms is associated with the atmospheric tides, as a result of the troposphere-mesosphere-ionosphere coupling.

Solar cycle response and long-term trends in the mesospheric metal layers

The meteoric metal layers (Na, Fe, and K)-which form as a result of the ablation of incoming meteors-act as unique tracers for chemical and dynamical processes that occur within the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere region. In this work, we examine whether these metal layers are sensitive indicators of decadal long-term changes within the upper atmosphere. Output from a whole-atmosphere climate model is used to assess the response of the Na, K, and Fe layers across a 50 year period (1955-2005). At short timescales, the K layer has previously been shown to exhibit a very different seasonal behavior compared to the other metals. Here we show that this unusual behavior is also exhibited at longer timescales (both the ~11 year solar cycle and 50 year periods), where K displays a much more pronounced response to atmospheric temperature changes than either Na or Fe. The contrasting solar cycle behavior of the K and Na layers predicted by the model is confirmed using satellite and lidar observations for the period 2004-2013.

Reaction Kinetics of Meteoric Sodium Reservoirs in the Upper Atmosphere

The gas-phase reactions of a selection of sodium-containing species with atmospheric constituents, relevant to the chemistry of meteor-ablated Na in the upper atmosphere, were studied in a fast flow tube using multiphoton ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. For the first time, unambiguous observations of NaO and NaOH in the gas phase under atmospheric conditions have been achieved. This enabled the direct measurement of the rate constants for the reactions of NaO with H2, H2O, and CO, and of NaOH with CO2, which at 300-310 K were found to be (at 2σ confidence level): k(NaO + H2O) = (2.4 ± 0.6) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule (-1) s(-1), k(NaO + H2) = (4.9 ± 1.2) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule (-1) s(-1), k(NaO + CO) = (9 ± 4) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule (-1) s(-1), and k(NaOH + CO2 + M) = (7.6 ± 1.6) × 10(-29) cm(6) molecule (-2) s(-1) (P = 1-4 Torr). The NaO + H2 reaction was found to make NaOH with a branching ratio ≥ 99%. A combination of quantum chemistry and statistical rate theory calculations are used to interpret the reaction kinetics and extrapolate the atmospherically relevant experimental results to mesospheric temperatures and pressures. The NaO + H2O and NaOH + CO2 reactions act sequentially to provide the major atmospheric sink of meteoric Na and therefore have a significant impact on the underside of the Na layer in the terrestrial mesosphere: the newly determined rate constants shift the modeled peak to about 93 km, i.e., 2 km higher than observed by ground-based lidars. This highlights further uncertainties in the Na chemistry cycle such as the unknown rate constant of the NaOH + H reaction. The fast Na-recycling reaction between NaO and CO and a re-evaluated rate constant of the NaO + CO2 sink should be now considered in chemical models of the Martian Na layer.

The near-global mesospheric potassium layer: Observations and modeling

The meteoric metal layers act as unique tracers of chemistry and dynamics in the upper atmosphere. Existing lidar studies from a few locations show that K exhibits a semiannual seasonality (winter and summer maxima), quite unlike the annual seasonality (winter maximum and summer minimum) seen with Na and Fe. This work uses spaceborne observations made with the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System instrument on the Odin satellite to retrieve the near-global K layer for the first time. The satellite data (2004 to mid-2013) are used to validate the implementation of a recently proposed potassium chemistry scheme in a whole atmosphere chemistry climate model, which provides a chemical basis for this semiannual seasonal behavior. The satellite and model data show that this semiannual seasonality is near global in extent, with the strongest variation at middle and high latitudes. The column abundance, centroid layer height, and root-mean-square width of the K layer are consistent with the limited available lidar record. The K data set is then used to investigate the impact of polar mesospheric clouds on the metal layers at high latitudes during summer. Finally, the occurrence frequency of sporadic K layers and their possible link to sporadic E layers are examined.

Diurnal variation of the potassium layer in the upper atmosphere

Measurements of the diurnal cycle of potassium (K) atoms between 80 and 110 km have been made during October (for the years 2004-2011) using a Doppler lidar at Kühlungsborn, Germany (54.1°N, 11.7°E). A pronounced diurnal variation is observed in the K number density, which is explored by using a detailed description of the neutral and ionized chemistry of K in a three-dimensional chemistry climate model. The model captures both the amplitude and phase of the diurnal and semidiurnal variability of the layer, although the peak diurnal amplitude around 90 km is overestimated. The model shows that the total potassium density (≈ K + K⁺ + KHCO₃) exhibits little diurnal variation at each altitude, and the diurnal variations are largely driven by photochemical conversion between these reservoir species. In contrast, tidally driven vertical transport has a small effect at this midlatitude location, and diurnal fluctuations in temperature are of little significance because they are small and the chemistry of K is relatively temperature independent.

On the detection of mesospheric meteoric smoke particles embedded in noctilucent cloud particles with rocket-borne dust probes

Mesospheric nanoparticles in the forms of water ice particles and meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) exist in the middle atmosphere where they often play a decisive role in cloud formation and in chemical processes. Direct in situ observations of mesospheric nanoparticles have been made possible by rocket probes developed during the last two decades. Although progress has been made in mapping properties such as electric charge, sizes, and interaction with the plasma and neutral gas, more observations are needed on the size distribution, chemical content, and structure of the MSP to determine their role in cloud formation and chemistry in the mesosphere and stratosphere. We here present the result of a detailed analysis of the performance of a new dust probe MUltiple Dust Detector (MUDD) [O. Havnes et al., J. Atmos Soll.-Terr. Phys. 118, 190 (2014); O. Havenes et al., ibid. (in press)], which should give information of the size distribution of MSP by fragmenting impacting ice particles and releasing a fraction of the MSP which most probably are embedded in them [O. Havnes and L. I. Naesheim, Ann. Geophys. 25, 623 (2007); M. E. Hervig et al., J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys. 84-85, 1 (2012)]. We first determine the electric field structure and neutral gas condition in the interior of the probe and from this compute, the dynamics and current contribution of the charged fragments to the currents measured as the probe scans the fragment energy. For the single MUDD probe flown in July 2011 on the PHOCUS payload, we find that the fragment currents at the three retarding potentials for MUDD of 0, 10, and 20 V correspond to fragment sizes of ≳0.6 nm, >1.5 nm, and >1.8 nm if the fragments have a negative unit charge. We also discuss the optimum choice of retarding potentials in future flights of MUDD probes. By launching 2 to 3 mechanically identical MUDD probes but with different retarding potentials, we will obtain a much more detailed and reliable fragment (MSP) size distribution.

Magnesium-based systems for carbon dioxide capture, storage and recycling: from leaves to synthetic nanostructured materials

Magnesium is used as leitmotif in this review in order to explore the systems involved in natural and artificial CO₂ cycles.

Radar detectability studies of slow and small Zodiacal Dust Cloud Particles: I. The case of Arecibo 430 MHz meteor head echo observations

Recent model development of the Zodiacal Dust Cloud (ZDC) model (Nesvorný et al. 2010, 2011b) argue that the incoming flux of meteoric material into the Earth's upper atmosphere is mostly undetected by radars because they cannot detect small extraterrestrial particles entering the atmosphere at low velocities due to the relatively small production of electrons. In this paper we present a new methodology utilizing meteor head echo radar observations that aims to constrain the ZDC physical model by ground-based measurements. In particular, for this work, we focus on Arecibo 430 MHz observations since this is the most sensitive radar utilized for this type of observations to date. For this, we integrate and employ existing comprehensive models of meteoroid ablation, ionization and radar detection to enable accurate interpretation of radar observations and show that reasonable agreement in the hourly rates is found between model predictions and Arecibo observations when: 1) we invoke the lower limit of the model predicted flux (~16 t/d) and 2) we estimate the ionization probability of ablating metal atoms using laboratory measurements of the ionization cross sections of high speed metal atom beams, resulting in values up to two orders of magnitude lower than the extensively utilized figure reported by Jones (1997) for low speeds meteors. However, even at this lower limit the model over predicts the slow portion of the Arecibo radial velocity distributions by a factor of 3, suggesting the model requires some revision.

Experimental study of the mesospheric removal of NF3 by neutral meteoric metals and Lyman-α radiation

NF3 is a potent anthropogenic greenhouse gas with increasing industrial usage. It is characterized by a large global warming potential due in part to its large atmospheric lifetime. The estimated lifetime of about 550 years means that potential mesospheric destruction processes of NF3 should also be considered. The reactions of NF3 with the neutral metal atoms Na, K, Mg and Fe, which are produced by meteoric ablation in the upper mesosphere, were therefore studied. The observed non-Arrhenius temperature dependences of the reactions between about 190 and 800 K are interpreted using quantum chemistry calculations of the relevant potential energy surfaces. The NF3 absorption cross section at the prominent Lyman-α solar emission line (121.6 nm) was determined to be (1.59 ± 0.10) × 10(-18) cm(2) molecule(-1) (at 300 K). In the mesosphere above 60 km, Lyman-α photolysis is the dominant removal process of NF3; the reactions with K and Na are 1-2 orders of magnitude slower. However, the atmospheric lifetime of NF3 is largely controlled by reaction with O((1)D) and photolysis at wavelengths shorter than 190 nm; these processes dominate below 60 km.

Electronic structure and properties of neutral, anionic and cationic silicon-nitrogen nanoclusters

We performed a G3 investigation of the possible stable structures of silicon-nitrogen SinNm clusters where m = 1-4, n = 1-4, m + n = 2-5. We considered the neutral, anionic and cationic molecular species in the singlet, doublet and triplet states, as appropriate. For neutral clusters, our data confirm previous DFT and post Hartree-Fock findings. For charged clusters, our results represent predictions. Several molecular properties related to the experimental data, such as the electronic energy, equilibrium geometry, binding energy (BE), HOMO-LUMO gap (HLG), and spin contamination mathematical left angle bracket S₂ mathematical right angle bracket were computed. We also derived the vertical electron attachment (VEA), the adiabatic electron affinity (AEA), and the vertical ionization energy (VIE), of the neutral clusters. Similar to their carbon-nitrogen counterparts, the lowest energy structures for neutral and cationic silicon-nitrogen clusters are found to be linear or quasilinear. In contrast, anionic silicon-nitrogen clusters tend to form 3D structures as the size of the cluster increases.

Reactions of M(+)(H2O)n, n < 40, M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, with D2O reveal water activation in Mn(+)(H2O)n

Reactions of M(+)(H(2)O)(n), n < 40, M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, with D(2)O are studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. Isotopically highly enriched metals are used as applicable. Isotopic scrambling with formation of HDO is not observed for M = Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, which indicates that these hydrated metal ions consist of a singly charged metal center and a hydration shell of intact, inactivated water molecules. In the vanadium case, HDO formation is observed in the size region where also hydroxide formation with evolution of molecular hydrogen occurs. For manganese, HDO formation occurs in the size regime n ≈ 8-20. Additional experiments show that, in this size regime, Mn(+)(H(2)O)(n) is slowly converted into HMnOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1) under the influence of room temperature blackbody radiation. The reaction is mildly exothermic; ΔH ≈ -21 ± 10 kJ mol(-1).

A new model for magnesium chemistry in the upper atmosphere

This paper describes the kinetic study of a number of gas-phase reactions involving neutral Mg-containing species, which are important for the chemistry of meteor-ablated magnesium in the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere region. The study is motivated by the very recent observation of the global atomic Mg layer around 90 km, using satellite-born UV-visible spectroscopy. In the laboratory, Mg atoms were produced thermally in the upstream section of a fast flow tube and then converted to the molecular species MgO, MgO(2), OMgO(2), and MgCO(3) by the addition of appropriate reagents. Atomic O was added further downstream, and Mg was detected at the downstream end of the flow tube by laser-induced fluorescence. The following rate coefficients were determined at 300 K: k(MgO + O → Mg + O(2)) = (6.2 ± 1.1) × 10(-10); k(MgO(2) + O → MgO + O(2)) = (8.4 ± 2.8) × 10(-11); k(MgCO(3) + O → MgO(2) + CO(2)) ≥ 4.9 × 10(-12); and k(MgO + CO → Mg + CO(2)) = (1.1 ± 0.3) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Electronic structure calculations of the relevant potential energy surfaces combined with RRKM theory were performed to interpret the experimental results and also to explore the likely reaction pathways that convert MgCO(3) and OMgO(2) into long-lived reservoir species such as Mg(OH)(2). Although no reaction was observed in the laboratory between OMgO(2) and O, this is most likely due to the rapid recombination of O(2) with the product MgO(2) to form the relatively stable O(2)MgO(2). Indeed, one significant finding is the role of O(2) in the mesosphere, where it initiates holding cycles by recombining with radical species such as MgO(2) and MgOH. A new atmospheric model was then constructed which combines these results together with recent work on magnesium ion-molecule chemistry. The model is able to reproduce satisfactorily some of the key features of the Mg and Mg(+) layers, including the heights of the layers, the seasonal variations of their column abundances, and the unusually large Mg(+)/Mg ratio.

Reactivity of hydrated monovalent first row transition metal ions M(+)(H2O)n, M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, toward molecular oxygen, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide

The reactions of hydrated monovalent transition metal ions M(+)(H(2)O)(n), M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, toward molecular oxygen, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. Clusters containing monovalent chromium, cobalt, nickel, or zinc were reactive toward O(2), while only hydrated cobalt was reactive toward N(2)O. A strongly size dependent reactivity was observed. Chromium and cobalt react very slowly with carbon dioxide. Nanocalorimetric analysis, (18)O(2) exchange, and collision induced dissociation (CID) experiments were done to learn more about the structure of the O(2) products. The thermochemistry for cobalt, nickel, and zinc is comparable to the formation of O(2)(-) from hydrated electrons. These results suggest that cobalt, nickel, and zinc are forming M(2+)/O(2)(-) ion pairs in the cluster, while chromium rather forms a covalently bound dioxygen complex in large clusters, followed by an exothermic dioxide formation in clusters with n ≤ 5. The results show that hydrated singly charged transition metal ions exhibit highly specific reactivities toward O(2), N(2)O, and CO(2).

HYDRATION AND DISSOCIATION OF CALCIUM HYDROXIDE IN WATER CLUSTERS: A QUANTUM CHEMICAL STUDY

The structure, stability, and properties of the hydrated clusters of calcium hydroxide, Ca ( OH )2( H 2 O )n, n = 1–6, were investigated using density functional and ab initio quantum chemical methods. The results show that six water molecules are needed to result in the complete dissociation of Ca ( OH )2. The stable and ionic conformer of Ca ( OH )2( H 2 O )6 has C 3 symmetry. Its surprising stability and high IR activity render hydrated clusters of Ca ( OH )2 potentially significant in the nucleation of noctilucent clouds in the mesosphere. Trends in the interaction energies (ΔEe) of the complexes show that water molecules in the first shell of Ca 2+ are highly stable, further alluding to the role of hydrated Ca ( OH )2 in aerosol formation.

A kinetic study of Mg+ and Mg-containing ions reacting with O3, O2, N2, CO2, N2O and H2O: implications for magnesium ion chemistry in the upper atmosphere

Reactions between Mg(+) and O(3), O(2), N(2), CO(2) and N(2)O were studied using the pulsed laser photo-dissociation at 193 nm of Mg(C(5)H(7)O(2))(2) vapour, followed by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence of Mg(+) at 279.6 nm (Mg(+)(3(2)P(3/2)-3(2)S(1/2))). The rate coefficient for the reaction Mg(+) + O(3) is at the Langevin capture rate coefficient and independent of temperature, k(190-340 K) = (1.17 ± 0.19) × 10(-9) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) (1σ error). The reaction MgO(+) + O(3) is also fast, k(295 K) = (8.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and produces Mg(+) + 2O(2) with a branching ratio of (0.35 ± 0.21), the major channel forming MgO(2)(+) + O(2). Rate data for Mg(+) recombination reactions yielded the following low-pressure limiting rate coefficients: k(Mg(+) + N(2)) = 2.7 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.88); k(Mg(+) + O(2)) = 4.1 × 10(-31) (T/300 K)(-1.65); k(Mg(+) + CO(2)) = 7.3 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-1.59); k(Mg(+) + N(2)O) = 1.9 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-2.51) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1), with 1σ errors of ±15%. Reactions involving molecular Mg-containing ions were then studied at 295 K by the pulsed laser ablation of a magnesite target in a fast flow tube, with mass spectrometric detection. Rate coefficients for the following ligand-switching reactions were measured: k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + CO(2)) = (5.1 ± 0.9) × 10(-11); k(MgO(2)(+) + H(2)O → Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = (1.9 ± 0.6) × 10(-11); k(Mg(+)·N(2) + O(2)→ Mg(+)·O(2) + N(2)) = (3.5 ± 1.5) × 10(-12) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Low-pressure limiting rate coefficients were obtained for the following recombination reactions in He: k(MgO(2)(+) + O(2)) = 9.0 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.80); k(Mg(+)·CO(2) + CO(2)) = 2.3 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-5.08); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + H(2)O) = 3.0 × 10(-28) (T/300 K)(-3.96); k(MgO(2)(+) + N(2)) = 4.7 × 10(-30) (T/300 K)(-3.75); k(MgO(2)(+) + CO(2)) = 6.6 × 10(-29) (T/300 K)(-4.18); k(Mg(+)·H(2)O + O(2)) = 1.2 × 10(-27) (T/300 K)(-4.13) cm(6) molecule(-2) s(-1). The implications of these results for magnesium ion chemistry in the atmosphere are discussed.

High-resolution lidar observations of mesospheric sodium and implications for adaptive optics

Observations of sodium density variability in the upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere, obtained using a high-resolution lidar system, show rapid fluctuations in the sodium centroid altitude. The temporal power spectrum extends above 1 Hz and is well-fit by a power law having a slope that is -1.95±0.12. These fluctuations produce focus errors in adaptive optics systems employing continuous-wave sodium laser guide stars, which can be significant for large-aperture telescopes. For a 30 m aperture diameter, the associated rms wavefront error is approximately 4 nm per meter of altitude change and increases as the square of the aperture diameter. The vertical velocity of the sodium centroid altitude is found to be ~23 ms(-1) on a 1 s time scale. If these high-frequency fluctuations arise primarily from advection of horizontal structure by the mesospheric wind, our data imply that variations in the sodium centroid altitude on the order of tens of meters occur over the horizontal scales spanned by proposed laser guide star asterisms. This leads to substantial differential focus errors (~107 nm over a 1 arc min separation with a 30 m aperture diameter) that may impact the performance of wide-field adaptive optics systems. Short-lasting and narrow sodium density enhancements, more than 1 order of magnitude above the local sodium density, occur due to advection of meteor trails. These have the ability to change the sodium centroid altitude by as much as 1 km in less than 1 s, which could result in temporary disruption of adaptive optics systems.

Structures and heats of formation of simple alkali metal compounds: hydrides, chlorides, fluorides, hydroxides, and oxides for Li, Na, and K

Geometry parameters, frequencies, heats of formation, and bond dissociation energies are predicted for simple alkali metal compounds (hydrides, chlorides, fluorides, hydroxides and oxides) of Li, Na, and K from coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)] calculations including core-valence correlation with the aug-cc-pwCVnZ basis set (n = D, T, Q, and 5). To accurately calculate the heats of formation, the following additional correction were included: scalar relativistic effects, atomic spin-orbit effects, and vibrational zero-point energies. For calibration purposes, the properties of some of the lithium compounds were predicted with iterative triple and quadruple excitations via CCSDT and CCSDTQ. The calculated geometry parameters, frequencies, heats of formation, and bond dissociation energies were compared with all available experimental measurements and are in excellent agreement with high-quality experimental data. High-level calculations are required to correctly predict that K(2)O is linear and that the ground state of KO is (2)Sigma(+), not (2)Pi, as in LiO and NaO. This reliable and consistent set of calculated thermodynamic data is appropriate for use in combustion and atmospheric simulations.

Dynamics of Mg+ + H2O + He: capture, collisional stabilization and collision-induced dissociation

A laser flash photolysis technique and quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations have been used to determine the rate coefficients for the title process. The experimental high-pressure-limiting rate coefficient is 7.0 x 10(-11) cm(3) s(-1) at T = 300 K, which compares with the computed QCT value for the Mg(+) + H(2)O capture rate of 2.75 +/- 0.08 x 10(-9) cm(3) s(-1) at the same temperature. The 39-fold difference between the experimental and simulation results is explained by further QCT calculations for the He + Mg(+).H(2)O* collision process. In particular, our simulation results indicate that collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the Mg(+).H(2)O* excited adduct is very likely compared with collisional stabilization (CS), which is an order of magnitude less likely. Including the relative rates of CID and CS in the calculation and assuming that those Mg(+).H(2)O* complexes that perform only one inner turning point in the dissociation coordinate are unlikely to be stabilized by CS, the computed rate coefficient compares well with the high-pressure experimental value.