OXIDIZING NATURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE Earth's atmosphere is oxidizing due to presence of o SO2--> SO42-: CHA-->CO CO-->CO2: NO2 -> HNO3 Radicals are oxidizing agents in the atmosphere OH is the cleansing agent of the atmosphere Key to understanding atmospheric oxidant chemistry Understand radical cycling but radical cycle is intimately connected to oxidant chemistry of other trace compounds including O3 Start with O3 O3 is important from chemical, climate, and health perspectivesOXIDIZING NATURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE • Earth’s atmosphere is oxidizing due to presence of O2 SO2 --> SO4 2- ; CH4 --> CO; CO --> CO2 ; NO2 --> HNO3 • Radicals are oxidizing agents in the atmosphere OH is the cleansing agent of the atmosphere • Key to understanding atmospheric oxidant chemistry Understand radical cycling → but radical cycle is intimately connected to oxidant chemistry of other trace compounds including O3 • Start with O3 O3 is important from chemical, climate, and health perspectives