Chemical reactions in clouds

Abstract

In contrast to a fairly extensive knowledge of gas phase chemical reactions in the atmosphere, our current understanding of the chemistry in the aqueous phase of clouds is still inadequate. Particularly for continental clouds the difficulties arise primarily from uncertainties in reaction mechanisms for the oxidation of various sulfur(IV) species originating from the dissolution of sulfur dioxide in cloud water and the role of the ions of transition metals in this oxidation process. The importance of OH and other radicals in gas-phase reactions has led to models, in which radical reactions are held responsible for much of the chemical change also in the liquid phase. This viewpoint has gained support specifically from the identification of iron(III)-hydroxo complexes as a photochemical source of OH radicals in continental clouds. Their reactions with sulfur(IV) compounds in the aqueous phase initiate chain processes, which are currently being examined by laboratory studies.