On the impact of HO2-H2O complexes in the marine boundary layer: A possible sink for HO2

Abstract

The impact of the formation of HO2-H2O adducts following reaction between H2O and HO2 and subsequent reaction of this adduct on HOx, H2O2 and O 3 as a function of relative humidity in the marine boundary layer has been investigated using a zero-dimensional box model. The results of simulations with different product yields for the reaction of HO 2-H2O with HO2were compared with base case data derived from current recommendations for tropospheric modelling. It is suggested that inclusion of reactions of the HO2-H2O adduct may provide a significant sink for HO2 which has so far not been considered in models of tropospheric chemistry and depending on reaction products may have a significant impact on H2O2 and O 3.