Rates of Reactive Removal of Anthropogenic Emissions in the Atmosphere

Abstract

Abstract Anthropogenic emissions such as SO 2 , CO, NO x , and hydrocarbons constitute a perturbation of the natural equilibrium of the atmosphere. On a global scale, the extent of this perturbation does not significantly exceed the natural background levels as a result of direct or indirect photochemical “clean‐up” processes in the atmosphere. Regionally, however, considerably increased concentrations of these trace components may occur. They are degraded by free radical reactions having widely differing yet substance‐specific rates.