Effects of Energetic Particles on Minor Constituents of the Middle Atmosphere

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Abstract
Both energetic protons and electrons can produce odd nitrogen compounds, NO(y) (N, NO, NO2, NO3, N2O5, HNO3, HNO4, ClONO2), through interactions with the background atmosphere. The long lifetime of the NO(y) family (up to several months in the middle atmosphere) as well as the NO(y) species' significant influence on stratospheric ozone abundance make the charged particle increases of NO(y) important. Galactic cosmic rays produce NO(y) in the lower stratosphere, solar protons produce. NO(y) in the middle and upper stratosphere as well as the mesosphere, and relativistic electrons produce NO(y) in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere, each affecting the NO(y) middle atmosphere budget directly. Production of NO(y) constituents by solar protons has been associated with an observed polar ozone depletion during and after the August 1972 solar proton event and a polar NO increase after the July 1982 solar proton event. Auroral electron and photoelectron production of NO(x) (N, NO, NO2) in the thermosphere and its subsequent transport downwards to the polar mesosphere and. upper stratosphere is an important component of the NO(y) budget in the middle atmosphere in the wintertime at high latitudes, e.g., the NO2 enhancements measured by the limb infrared monitor of the stratosphere (LIMS) in the polar lower mesosphere and upper stratosphere during the winter of 1978-79 are thought to be caused by downward transport of NO(x).

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