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Controlled Chemical Kinetic Experiments in Cloud: A Review of the CERL/UMIST Great Dun Fell Project

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Acid Deposition at High Elevation Sites

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 252))

Abstract

This paper describes a novel experimental technique for the examination of chemical kinetic processes in clouds. This involves the controlled release of a particular study gas and a tracer, upwind of a cloud-capped hill. Atmospheric measurements before, in, and after the cloud allow chemical changes within the cloud system to be monitored and hence the determination of reaction rates in field conditions.

Results from the application of this technique to the study of SO2 oxidation reactions in clouds are presented. These are derived from a series of experiments carried out at Great Dun Fell, Cumbria, over the last two years. A pilot study in October 1984 was followed by three full scale experiments involving the release of SO2 and a tracer, SF6. Two were in spring (1985 and 1986) and one in winter (1985) when photochemical activity was lower. Observed SO2 oxidation rates reflected the levels of photochemical activity.

Plans for future experiments incorporating other releases are also presented.

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© 1988 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Gervat, G.P., Clark, P.A., Marsh, A.R.W., Choularton, T.W., Gay, M.J. (1988). Controlled Chemical Kinetic Experiments in Cloud: A Review of the CERL/UMIST Great Dun Fell Project. In: Unsworth, M.H., Fowler, D. (eds) Acid Deposition at High Elevation Sites. NATO ASI Series, vol 252. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3079-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3079-7_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7883-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3079-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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