Ambient kinetics of the NO2 photolysis rate and verification of the atmospheric NO/NO2/O3 photostationary state

Ultraviolet radiant energy is known to participate in chain-initiating interactions of photochemical smog. Of principal concern is its involvement in the reaction scheme that dominates photochemical processes. The photolysis of NO2 and its subsequent relationship in an atmospheric steady-state process is examined and the ambient photostationary state confirmed. Verification was accomplished by comparing the NO2 photolysis rate constant k sub 1 with a direct measurement obtained from a direct k sub 1 detector. Appoximately 1 ppm of NO2 was photolyzed by ultraviolet sunlight energy in a one meter length of 2.2 cm diameter quartz tubing, open at one end. All ambient gaseous concentrations were determined by means of chemiluminescent instrumentation. Coincidental ultraviolet sunlight monitoring parallels delta NO from the k sub 1 detector. Suggested correlations and implications of interactions of SO2, O3, NO, NO2, suspended particulates, windspeed, wind direction, temperature and relative humidity are considered.