Photochemical Oxidant Processes in the Presence of Dust: An Evaluation of the Impact of Dust on Particulate Nitrate and Ozone Formation

Abstract

The influence of dust on the tropospheric photochemical oxidant cycle is studied through the use of a detailed coupled aerosol and gas-phase chemistry model. Dust is a significant component of the troposphere throughout Asia and provides a surface for a variety of heterogeneous reactions. Dust is found to be an important surface for particulate nitrate formation. For dust loading and ambient concentrations representative of conditions in East Asia, particulate nitrate levels of 1.5?11.5 µg m?3 are predicted, consistent with measured levels in this region. Dust is also found to reduce NOx levels by up to 50%, HO2 concentrations by 20%?80%, and ozone production rates by up to 25%. The magnitude of the influence of dust is sensitive to the mass concentration of the aerosol, relative humility, and the value of the accommodation coefficient.