Sensitivity analysis of a UV radiation transfer model and experimental photolysis rates of NO2 in the atmosphere of Mexico City

Photolysis of key species such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone and aldehydes, are the elementary reactions leading to the formation of photochemical smog. Calculations and experimental measurements (in particular, nitrogen dioxide) of these key reactions are reported, as well as, the sensitivity of them to the ozone column, local albedo and properties of the urban aerosol layer in Mexico City. A radiation transfer model(RTM), based on the delta-Eddington approximation, was used in the calculations. The results show the importance of providing local resolution for photolysis rates by considering different local conditions within the modeling domain of air quality models. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd