Enhanced ozone loss by active inorganic bromine chemistry in the tropical troposphere

Abstract Bromine chemistry, particularly in the tropics, has been suggested to play an important role in tropospheric ozone loss (Theys et al., 2011) although a lack of measurements of active bromine species impedes a quantitative understanding of its impacts. Recent modelling and measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO) by Wang et al. (2015) have shown current models under predict BrO concentrations over the Pacific Ocean and allude to a missing source of BrO. Here, we present the first simultaneous aircraft measurements of atmospheric bromine monoxide, BrO (a radical that along with atomic Br catalytically destroys ozone) and the inorganic Br precursor compounds HOBr, BrCl and Br2 over the Western Pacific Ocean from 0.5 to 7 km. The presence of 0.17-€“1.64 pptv BrO and 3.6-8 pptv total inorganic Br from these four species throughout the troposphere causes 10-20% of total ozone loss, and confirms the importance of bromine chemistry in the tropical troposphere; contributing to a 6 ppb decrease in ozone levels due to halogen chemistry. Observations are compared with a global chemical transport model and find that the observed high levels of BrO, BrCl and HOBr can be reconciled by active multiphase oxidation of halide (Br- and Cl-ˆ’) by HOBr and ozone in cloud droplets and aerosols. Measurements indicate that 99% of the instantaneous free Br in the troposphere up to 8 km originates from inorganic halogen photolysis rather than from photolysis of organobromine species

Seasonality of Formic Acid (HCOOH) in London during the ClearfLo Campaign

Following measurements in the winter of 2012, formic acid (HCOOH) and nitric acid (HNO3) were measured using a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) during the Summer Clean Air for London (ClearfLo) campaign in London, 2012. Consequently, the seasonal dependence of formic acid sources could be better understood. A mean formic acid concentration of 1.3 ppb and a maximum of 12.7 ppb was measured which is significantly greater than that measured during the winter campaign (0.63 ppb and 6.7 ppb, respectively). Daily calibrations of formic acid during the summer campaign gave sensitivities of 1.2 ion counts s-1 parts per trillion (ppt) by volume-1 and a limit of detection of 34 ppt. During the summer campaign, there was no correlation between formic acid and anthropogenic emissions such as NOx and CO or peaks associated with the rush hour as was identified in the winter. Rather, peaks in formic acid were observed that correlated with solar irradiance. Analysis using a photochemical trajectory model has been conducted to determine the source of this formic acid. The contribution of formic acid formation through ozonolysis of alkenes is important but the secondary production from biogenic VOCs could be the most dominant source of formic acid at this measurement site during the summer

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Airborne measurements of HC(O)OH in the European Arctic: A winter – summer comparison

This study represents the first airborne, in-situ measurements of HC(O)OH in the European Arctic, across the winter and summer seasons. HC(O)OH concentrations are under predicted at present, particularly in the mid to high northern latitudes. Data presented here probe unconfirmed sources of HC(O)OH in the Arctic, and would suggest an ocean source of HC(O)OH is more significant than proposed land sources in both winter and summer environments. A maximum concentration of 420 ppt was recorded over the ocean during the July 2012 campaign. This was more than 1.7 times greater than the maximum land concentration reported. Calculated estimates on HC(O)OH production would suggest diiodomethane photolysis could represent a significant source of HC(O)OH in marine environments in the European Arctic. Enhanced HC(O)OH concentrations observed at altitudes greater than 2 km particularly during the March campaign highlight the significance of long range transport on the European Arctic budget. In addition, two HC(O)OH vertical profiles between the altitudes 0.3–6.6 km are presented to provide a more representative vertical profile for this latitude which may be used to improve forthcoming regional and global modelling of the HC(O)OH budget

Reaction between CH₃O₂ and BrO Radicals: A New Source of Upper Troposphere Lower Stratosphere Hydroxyl Radicals

Over the last two decades it has emerged that measured hydroxyl radical levels in the upper troposphere are often underestimated by models, leading to the assertion that there are missing sources. Here we report laboratory studies of the kinetics and products of the reaction between CH₃O₂ and BrO radicals that shows that this could be an important new source of hydroxyl radicals:BrO + CH₃O₂ → products (1). The temperature dependent value in Arrhenius form of <i>k</i>(<i>T</i>) is <i>k</i>₁ = (2.42_–0.72^+1.02) × 10^–14 exp­[(1617 ± 94)/<i>T</i>] cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1. In addition, CH₂OO and HOBr are believed to be the major products. Global model results suggest that the decomposition of H₂COO to form OH could lead to an enhancement in OH of up to 20% in mid-latitudes in the upper troposphere and in the lower stratosphere enhancements in OH of 2–9% are inferred from model integrations. In addition, reaction 1 aids conversion of BrO to HOBr and slows polar ozone loss in the lower stratosphere

Reaction between CH3O2 and BrO Radicals: A New Source of Upper Troposphere Lower Stratosphere Hydroxyl Radicals

Over the last two decades it has emerged that measured hydroxyl radical levels in the upper troposphere are often underestimated by models, leading to the assertion that there are missing sources. Here we report laboratory studies of the kinetics and products of the reaction between CH3O2 and BrO radicals that shows that this could be an important new source of hydroxyl radicals:BrO + CH3O2 --> products (1). The temperature dependent value in Arrhenius form of k(T) is k(1) = (2.42(-0.72)(+1.02)) X 10(-14) exp[(1617 +/- 94)/T] cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). In addition, CH2OO and HOBr are believed to he the major products. Global model results suggest that the decomposition of H2COO to form OH could lead to an enhancement in OH of up to 20% in mid-latitudes in the upper troposphere and in the lower stratosphere enhancements OH of 2-9% are inferred from model integrations. In addition, reaction 1 aids conversion of BrO to HOBr and slows polar ozone loss in the lower stratosphere