On the formation of radiation fogs under heavily polluted conditions
We have studied the effect of gaseous pollutants on fog droplet growth in heavily polluted air using a model that describes time-dependent sulfate production in the liquid phase and thermodynamical equilibrium between the droplets and the gas phase. Our research indicates that the oxidation of SO...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2003-01-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/3/581/2003/acp-3-581-2003.pdf |
| Summary: | We have studied the effect of gaseous pollutants on fog droplet growth in heavily polluted air using a model that describes time-dependent sulfate production in the liquid phase and thermodynamical equilibrium between the droplets and the gas phase. Our research indicates that the oxidation of SO<sub>2</sub> to sulfate has a significant effect on fog droplet growth especially when hygroscopic trace gases, for example HNO<sub>3</sub> and NH<sub>3</sub> are present. The increased sulfate production by dissolution of hygroscopic gases results from increased pH (caused by absorption of ammonia) and from the increased size of the fog/smog droplets. Our results indicate that unactivated fogs may become optically very thick when the droplet concentrations are on the order of several thousand per cubic centimeter of air. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |