Abstract
In the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (between 50–120 km), photochemical processes produce important minor constituents that can effect the thermal, radiative and electrical properties of the atmosphere. Since the subject of atmospheric photochemistry is very extensive, only an introduction to selected topics is given. We first introduce the basic concepts; the hydrostatic law, transport processes, the absorption of solar radiation, and chemical kinetic processes. Next the density profiles of the minor species, O, O3, H, OH, and HO2 in the mesosphere are illustrated by solving the one-dimensional continuity equation. The profiles of the longer-lived species NO, H2O, and 0 in the lower thermosphere are also discussed. The final portion outlines the ion chemistry of the lower E-region and the D-region. The photochemical control of the ion composition is emphasized.
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Winick, J.R. (1983). Photochemical Processes in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere. In: Carovillano, R.L., Forbes, J.M. (eds) Solar-Terrestrial Physics. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 104. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7194-3_23
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7194-3_23
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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