Nitrous acid in the atmosphere and laboratory experiments on its photolysis
Open Access
- 1 February 1974
- journal article
- Published by Stockholm University Press in Tellus
- Vol. 26 (1-2) , 175-179
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01964.x
Abstract
Low concentrations of nitrous acid in air were estimated by a differential absorption method. Over a three-month period, atmospheric concentrations at one location in southern England varied between 0.4 and 11 ppb while those of nitrogen dioxide varied between 4 and 21 ppb. The highest proportion of acid was found in air which had passed over the industrial regions of W. Europe. In the laboratory, concentrations of about 1 ppm of nitrous acid with less than 0.03 ppm of nitrogen dioxide were produced by blowing air over a shallow layer of very dilute acidified nitrite solution. Exposure of the vapour to the light from a pyrex-shielded mercury arc caused decomposition, with production of nitrogen dioxide. This decomposition was apparently prevented by some olefins. The experiments did not support the view that nitrous acid is a source of hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01964.xKeywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
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- Chemical Status of Nitrogen Dioxide at Low Aerial ConcentrationAnnals of Occupational Hygiene, 1968