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ABSTRACT: The isotope anomaly (Δ17O) of secondary atmospheric species such as nitrate (NO3−) or hydrogen peroxyde (H2O2) has potential to provide useful constrains on their formation pathways. Indeed, the Δ17O of their precursors (NOx, HOx etc.) differs and depends on their interactions with ozone, which is the main source of non-zero Δ17O in the atmosphere. Interpreting variations of Δ17O in secondary species requires an in-depth understanding of the Δ17O of their precursors taking into account non-linear chemical regimes operating under various environmental settings. We present results from numerical simulations carried out using the atmospheric chemistry box model (CAABA/MECCA) to explicitly compute the diurnal variations of the isotope anomaly of short-lived species such as NOx and HOx. Δ17O was propagated from ozone to other species (NO, NO2, OH, HO2, RO2, NO3, N2O5, HONO, HNO3, HNO4, H2O2) according to the classical mass-balance equation, through the implementation of various sets of hypotheses pertaining to the transfer of Δ17O during chemical reactions. The model confirms that diurnal variations in Δ17O of NOx are well predicted by the photochemical steady-state relationship during the day, but that at night a different approach must be employed (i.e. "fossilization" of the Δ17O of NOx as soon as the photolytical lifetime of NOx drops below ca. 5 min). We quantify the diurnally-integrated isotopic signature (DIIS) of sources of atmospheric nitrate and H2O2 under the various environmental conditions analyzed, which is of particular relevance to larger-scale implementations of Δ17O where high computational costs cannot be afforded.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions. 01/2010;
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ABSTRACT: The nitrogen (δ15N) and triple oxygen (δ17O and δ18O) isotopic composition of nitrate (NO3−) was measured year-round in the atmosphere and snow pits at Dome C, Antarctica (DC, 75.1° S, 123.3° E), and in surface snow on a transect between DC and the coast. Comparison to the isotopic signal in atmospheric NO3− shows that snow NO3− is significantly enriched in δ15N by >200‰ and depleted in δ18O by 17O(NO3−) is small, potentially allowing reconstruction of past shifts in tropospheric oxidation pathways from ice cores. Assuming a Rayleigh-type process we find fractionation constants ε of −60±15‰, 8±2‰ and 1±1‰, for δ15N, δ18O and Δ17O, respectively. A photolysis model yields an upper limit for the photolytic fractionation constant 15ε of δ15N, consistent with lab and field measurements, and demonstrates a high sensitivity of 15ε to the incident actinic flux spectrum. The photolytic 15ε is process-specific and therefore applies to any snow covered location. Previously published 15ε values are not representative for conditions at the Earth surface, but apply only to the UV lamp used in the reported experiment (Blunier et al., 2005; Jacobi et al., 2006). Depletion of oxygen stable isotopes is attributed to photolysis followed by isotopic exchange with water and hydroxyl radicals. Conversely, 15N enrichment of the NO3− fraction in the snow implies 15N depletion of emissions. Indeed, δ15N in atmospheric NO3− shows a strong decrease from background levels (4±7‰) to −35‰ in spring followed by recovery during summer, consistent with significant snowpack emissions of reactive nitrogen. Field and lab evidence therefore suggest that photolysis is an important process driving fractionation and associated NO3− loss from snow. The Δ17O signature confirms previous coastal measurements that the peak of atmospheric NO3− in spring is of stratospheric origin. After sunrise photolysis drives then redistribution of NO3− from the snowpack photic zone to the atmosphere and a snow surface skin layer, thereby concentrating NO3− at the surface. Little NO3− appears to be exported off the EAIS plateau, still snow emissions from as far as 600 km inland can contribute to the coastal NO3− budget.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 01/2009;
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A. M. Grannas,
A. E. Jones,
Dibb J,
Ammann M,
Anastasio C,
H. J. Beine,
Bergin M,
Bottenheim J,
C. S. Boxe,
Carver G, [......],
Plane J,
Sander R, Savarino J,
P. B. Shepson,
W. R. Simpson,
J. R. Sodeau,
R. von Glasow,
Weller R,
E. W. Wolff,
Zhu T
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ABSTRACT: It has been shown that sunlit snow and ice plays an important role in processing atmospheric species. Photochemical production of a variety of chemicals has recently been reported to occur in snow/ice and the release of these photochemically generated species may significantly impact the chemistry of the overlying atmosphere. Nitrogen oxide and oxidant precursor fluxes have been measured in a number of snow covered environments, where in some cases the emissions significantly impact the overlying boundary layer. For example, photochemical ozone production (such as that occurring in polluted mid-latitudes) of 3–4 ppbv/day has been observed at South Pole, due to high OH and NO levels present in a relatively shallow boundary layer. Field and laboratory experiments have determined that the origin of the observed NOx flux is the photochemistry of nitrate within the snowpack, however some details of the mechanism have not yet been elucidated. A variety of low molecular weight organic compounds have been shown to be emitted from sunlit snowpacks, the source of which has been proposed to be either direct or indirect photo-oxidation of natural organic materials present in the snow. Although myriad studies have observed active processing of species within irradiated snowpacks, the fundamental chemistry occurring remains poorly understood. Here we consider the nature of snow at a fundamental, physical level; photochemical processes within snow and the caveats needed for comparison to atmospheric photochemistry; our current understanding of nitrogen, oxidant, halogen and organic photochemistry within snow; the current limitations faced by the field and implications for the future.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 01/2007;
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ABSTRACT: Throughout the year 2001, aerosol samples were collected continuously for 10 to 15 days at the French Antarctic Station Dumont d'Urville (DDU) (66°40' S, l40°0' E, 40 m above mean sea level). The nitrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios of particulate nitrate at DDU exhibit seasonal variations that are among the most extreme observed for nitrate on Earth. In association with concentration measurements, the isotope ratios delineate four distinct periods, broadly consistent with previous studies on Antarctic coastal areas. During austral autumn and early winter (March to mid-July), nitrate concentrations attain a minimum between 10 and 30 ng m<sup>−3</sup> (referred to as Period 2). Two local maxima in August (55 ng m<sup>−3</sup>) and November/December (165 ng m<sup>−3</sup>) are used to assign Period 3 (mid-July to September) and Period 4 (October to December). Period 1 (January to March) is a transition period between the maximum concentration of Period 4 and the background concentration of Period 2. These seasonal changes are reflected in changes of the nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios. During Period 2, which is characterized by background concentrations, the isotope ratios are in the range of previous measurements at mid-latitudes: δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>vsmow</sub>=(77.2±8.6)‰; Δ<sup>17</sup>O=(29.8±4.4)‰; δ<sup>15</sup>N<sub>air</sub>=(−4.4±5.4)‰ (mean ± one standard deviation). Period 3 is accompanied by a significant increase of the oxygen isotope ratios and a small increase of the nitrogen isotope ratio to δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>vsmow</sub>=(98.8±13.9)‰; Δ<sup>17</sup>O=(38.8±4.7)‰ and δ<sup>15</sup>N<sub>air</sub>=(4.3±8.20‰). Period 4 is characterized by a minimum <sup>15</sup>N/<sup>14</sup>N ratio, only matched by one prior study of Antarctic aerosols, and oxygen isotope ratios similar to Period 2: δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>vsmow</sub>=(77.2±7.7)‰; Δ<sup>17</sup>O=(31.1±3.2)‰; δ<sup>15</sup>N<sub>air</sub>=(−32.7±8.4)‰. Finally, during Period 1, isotope ratios reach minimum values for oxygen and intermediate values for nitrogen: δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>vsmow</sub>=63.2±2.5‰; Δ<sup>17</sup>O=24.0±1.1‰; δ<sup>15</sup>N<sub>air</sub>=−17.9±4.0‰). Based on the measured isotopic composition, known atmospheric transport patterns and the current understanding of kinetics and isotope effects of relevant atmospheric chemical processes, we suggest that elevated tropospheric nitrate levels during Period 3 are most likely the result of nitrate sedimentation from polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), whereas elevated nitrate levels during Period 4 are likely to result from snow re-emission of nitrogen oxide species. We are unable to attribute the source of the nitrate during periods 1 and 2 to local production or long-range transport, but note that the oxygen isotopic composition is in agreement with day and night time nitrate chemistry driven by the diurnal solar cycle. A precise quantification is difficult, due to our insufficient knowledge of isotope fractionation during the reactions leading to nitrate formation, among other reasons.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 01/2007;
