Influence of Sulfate Aerosol in the Lower Stratosphere on the Lifetime of Odd Oxygen

The paper presents the results of calculations of the lifetime of odd oxygen and the concentrations of a number of small components in the lower stratosphere, taking into account chemical reactions in supercooled liquid particles of sulfate aerosol (background aerosol). It is found that N2O5 gas molecules and others captured by the aerosol from the air undergo hydrolysis reactions. Their rapid runoff at altitudes less than 15 km lengthens the lifetime of odd oxygen (Ox), which is caused by a decrease in the concentrations of the components of the NOx family and suppression of their reactions with components of the Ox family. At higher altitudes of 16 to 22 km, the lifetime of odd oxygen, on the contrary, decreases; this is due to the acceleration of the reactions of Ox with components of the HOx and ClOx families, the concentrations of which increase with a decrease in the content of the components of the NOx family in the air. The results indicate that this effect of sulfate aerosol must be taken into account in calculating the dynamics of ozone destruction in the lower stratosphere in catalytic HOx, NOx, ClOx, and Ox cycles.