Coupling between the tropospheric photochemistry of nitrous acid (HONO) and nitric acid (HNO3)

The tropospheric photochemistry of nitrous acid (HONO) and its coupling with that of nitric acid (HNO3) in urban, rural and remote atmospheres are highlighted in terms of established and uncertain homogeneous and heterogeneous sources and sinks, together with known and potential effects and impacts. Observations made at Halley, Antarctica, via optical detection of an azo dye derivative of HONO are consistent with snow-pack photochemical production of HONO, which has potential significance for the production of hydroxyl radicals (OH center dot) and ozone (O-3) on regional and global scales. Recent developments in measurement methods for HONO and HNO3 are also highlighted. It is now timely to conduct a formal intercomparison of the methods in order to evaluate and enhance their capabilities, and to validate the growing body of HONO and HNO3 data obtained in urban, rural and remote locations.