Abstract
This work investigates the formation rates of gaseous and particulate nitrate in an urban atmosphere. This investigation is based on theoretical evaluations regarding potential NO 2 oxidant reactions, leading to calculated values compared with field observations in Taichung City, Taiwan in 2002. The results show that the correlation coefficient ( r) between the calculated value and field observation for HNO 3 was 0.83 and that for NO 3 - was 0.66, suggesting that the theoretical calculations are suitable for assessing the formation rate of nitrate species. The 12-h average conversion rate of NO 2 to HNO 3 was approximately 3.4±3.1% h −1, while the formation rate of particulate NO 3 - was 2.4±1.8% h −1. Seasonal variations in gaseous and particulate production rates were obtained. The formation rate of HNO 3 was found to be higher in summer, whereas the NO 3 - rate was lowest. The factors affecting the formation rate were also investigated using the model sensitivity test. The results showed that both HNO 3 and NO 3 - were significantly dependent upon the ambient temperature and relative humidity in a moist atmosphere.
Published Version
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