The influence of iodine on the Antarctic stratospheric ozone hole

The role of chlorine and bromine in Antarctic stratospheric ozone depletion is well known. However, the contribution of iodine to the ozone hole chemistry has not been assessed, mainly due to the negligible amounts of iodine previously reported to enter the stratosphere. New measurements demonstrate that the injection of iodine to the lower stratosphere is higher than previously assumed. Based on these observations, our modeling work shows that iodine chemistry can enhance spring ozone loss at the lower part of the Antarctic ozone hole, and even dominate the halogen-mediated ozone loss during summer. Iodine can also alter, by several days, the timing of the seasonal formation and closure of the ozone hole.

The catalytic depletion of Antarctic stratospheric ozone is linked to anthropogenic emissions of chlorine and bromine. Despite its larger ozone-depleting efficiency, the contribution of ocean-emitted iodine to ozone hole chemistry has not been evaluated, due to the negligible iodine levels previously reported to reach the stratosphere. Based on the recently observed range (0.77 ± 0.1 parts per trillion by volume [pptv]) of stratospheric iodine injection, we use the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model to assess the role of iodine in the formation and recent past evolution of the Antarctic ozone hole. Our 1980–2015 simulations indicate that iodine can significantly impact the lower part of the Antarctic ozone hole, contributing, on average, 10% of the lower stratospheric ozone loss during spring (up to 4.2% of the total stratospheric column). We find that the inclusion of iodine advances the beginning and delays the closure stages of the ozone hole by 3 d to 5 d, increasing its area and mass deficit by 11% and 20%, respectively. Despite being present in much smaller amounts, and due to faster gas-phase photochemical reactivation, iodine can dominate (∼73%) the halogen-mediated lower stratospheric ozone loss during summer and early fall, when the heterogeneous reactivation of inorganic chlorine and bromine reservoirs is reduced. The stratospheric ozone destruction caused by 0.77 pptv of iodine over Antarctica is equivalent to that of 3.1 (4.6) pptv of biogenic very short-lived bromocarbons during spring (rest of sunlit period). The relative contribution of iodine to future stratospheric ozone loss is likely to increase as anthropogenic chlorine and bromine emissions decline following the Montreal Protocol.

Sensing atmospheric reactive species using light emitting diode by incoherent broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy

We overview our recent progress in the developments and applications of light emitting diode-based incoherent broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (LED-IBBCEAS) techniques for real-time optical sensing chemically reactive atmospheric species (HONO, NO₃, NO₂) in intensive campaigns and in atmospheric simulation chamber. New application of optical monitoring of NO₃ concentration-time profile for study of the NO₃-initiated oxidation process of isoprene in a smog chamber is reported.

The Visible Absorption Spectrum of OBrO, Investigated by Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

By the utilization of a new laboratory method to synthesize OBrO employing an electric discharge, the visible absorption spectrum of gaseous OBrO has been investigated. Absorption spectra of OBrO have been recorded at 298 K, using a continuous-scan Fourier transform spectrometer at a spectral resolution of 0.8 cm(-1). A detailed vibrational and rotational analysis of the observed transitions has been carried out. The FTS measurements provide experimental evidence that the visible absorption spectrum of OBrO results from the electronic transition C(2A2)-X(2B1). Vibrational constants have been determined for the C(2A2) state (omega(1) = 648.3 +/- 1.9 cm(-1) and omega 2 = 212.8 +/- 1.2 cm(-1)) and for the X(2B1) state (omega 1 = 804.1 +/- 0.8 cm(-1) and omega 2 = 312.2 +/- 0.5 cm(-1)). The vibrational bands (1,0,0), (2,0,0), and (1,1,0) show rotational structure, whereas the other observed bands are unstructured because of strong predissociation. Rotational constants have been determined experimentally for the upper electronic state C(2A2). By modeling the band contours, predissociation lifetimes have been estimated. Further, an estimate for the absorption cross-section of OBrO has been made by assessing the bromine budget within the gas mixture, and atmospheric lifetimes of OBrO have been calculated using a photochemical model.