Role of Aqueous Aerosols in Ozone Decomposition in the Near-Surface Atmosphere

Abstract

The effect of aqueous aerosol on the ozone concentration in atmospheric air is experimentally demonstrated. In field experiments, an abrupt decrease in the ozone concentration in the near-surface atmosphere was observed during a short-term shower rain in a megacity. Ozone decomposition in the presence of water was also studied under laboratory conditions in the reactive chamber. It is shown that ozone decomposition in air is enhanced at high relative humidity, and in the presence of aqueous aerosol. The ozone decomposition rate depends on the aerosol size; the smaller the particle, the higher the decomposition rate; this can indicate a significant role of heterogeneous bonding on the aerosol surface in the ozone decomposition.