The tropospheric chemistry of sea salt: A molecular-level view of the chemistry of NaCl and NaBr

The role of NaCl and NaBr in the topospheric chemistry was investigated. The reactions of the sea salts with gases at the air-water interface were studied using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The molecular dynamic simulations were also used to model the interfacial mechanisms. It was observed that the chlorine and bromine atom precursors, formed by the reaction of sea salts with gases, photolyzed to generate reactive halogen atoms. The reactive chlorine atoms lead to ozone formation in the topospere, while bromine atoms destroy ozone.