Microphysics and chemistry of sulphate aerosols at warm stratospheric temperatures

Observations of high NOx/NOy ratios (overall 40% larger than modelled values) during the Polar Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer campaign have led us to re-examine the heterogeneous chemistry of stratospheric aerosol particles during the polar summer period, using the Integrated MicroPhysics and Aerosol Chemistry on Trajectories model. The warm summer temperatures (up to 235 K) imply very concentrated sulphuric acid solutions (80 wt %). On the one hand, these solutions are more likely to freeze, into sulphuric acid monohydrate (SAM), reducing the efficiency of the N2O5 hydrolysis reaction. Including this freezing process increases NOx/NOy, ratios but does not improve model/measurement agreement: in polar spring, SAM formation causes the NOx/NOy ratio to be overpredicted whereas freezing has a much smaller effect on nitrogen chemistry during the continuous solar exposure of polar summer. On the other hand, if sulphate aerosols remain liquid, the high acidity may promote acid-catalysed reactions. The most important reaction is CH2O+HNO3, which effectively increases NOx/NOy ratios across a wide range of conditions, improving agreement with measurements. Furthermore, the production of HONO can either enhance gas-phase OH concentrations or promote secondary liquid reactions, including HONO+HNO3 and HONO+HCl. Primary uncertainties include the uptake coefficient of CH2O relevant to reaction with HNO3, the amount of HONO available for secondary reaction, and the relative rates of HONO reaction with HNO3 and HCl. The fate of the formic acid product, whose presence in the stratosphere may be an indicator for the CH2O reaction, and the impact on the stratospheric hydrogen budget are also discussed.