Daytime sources of nitrous acid (HONO) in the atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

Nitrous acid (HONO) is an important precursor of the hydroxyl radical (OH), the self-cleaning agent of the atmosphere and a key species in the formation of harmful photooxidants during summer smog. Recent field measurements using very sensitive HONO instruments have shown that daytime HONO concentrations are much higher than has been assumed previously and that the contribution of HONO to the radical formation was underestimated in the past. A strong photochemical HONO source has been proposed, which contributes to the primary OH radical production up to 56 %. These exciting results initiated new laboratory studies, in which new sources of HONO have been identified. It is demonstrated that HONO is photochemically formed 1) on surfaces treated with nitric acid, 2) by reduction of NO(2) on photosensitized organic surfaces like humic acids and c) in the gas phase photolysis of ortho-substituted nitroaromatics. Although significant uncertainties still exist on the exact mechanisms, these additional sources might explain daytime observations in the atmosphere and demonstrate that HONO should be generally measured in field campaigns, besides other radical sources.