|
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 25329-25354, 2010
www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/10/25329/2010/ doi:10.5194/acpd-10-25329-2010 © Author(s) 2010. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. |
Deposition of dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5, to the snowpack at high latitudes
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
2Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
3Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Abstract. Dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5, is an important nighttime intermediate in oxidation of NOx that is hydrolysed on surfaces. We conducted a field campaign in Fairbanks, Alaska during November, 2009 to measure the flux (and deposition velocity) of N2O5 depositing to snowpack using the aerodynamic gradient method. The deposition velocity of N2O5 under Arctic winter conditions was found to be 0.59 ± 0.47 cm/s, which is the first measurement of this parameter to our knowledge. Based on the measured deposition velocity, we compared the chemical loss rate of N2O5 via snowpack deposition to the total steady state loss rate and found that deposition to snowpack is a significant fraction of the total chemical removal of N2O5 measured within a few meters of the ground surface.
Citation: Huff, D. M., Joyce, P. L., Fochesatto, G. J., and Simpson, W. R.: Deposition of dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5, to the snowpack at high latitudes, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 10, 25329-25354, doi:10.5194/acpd-10-25329-2010, 2010.