Abstract
To evaluate factors affecting variation in gaseous nitric acid (HNO3) concentrations, including long-range transport from the Asian continent, we conducted continuous observations of HNO3 and related species from April 2016 to October 2017 in a coastal region near Tottori, Japan. HNO3 concentrations and concentration ratios of HNO3 to total odd nitrogen species (HNO3/NOy) during sea-breeze periods exhibited similar seasonal variations, with maximum concentrations during spring–summer and minimum concentrations during autumn–winter. The sea-breeze period concentrations were higher than those during land-breeze periods in spring–summer. Similar diurnal variations for HNO3 concentrations and HNO3/NOy with maximum values occurring during the daytime and minimum values during the nighttime were observed regardless of the season. These seasonal and diurnal variations were attributed to the reaction of NO2 with OH radicals and/or the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) aerosols. In terms of long-range transport from the Asian continent, a thermal equilibrium of HNO3 and gaseous ammonia (NH3) with NH4NO3 can affect variation of the HNO3 concentration. A chemical thermodynamics evaluation was conducted of the equilibrium of HNO3 and gaseous ammonia with NH4NO3. The concentration of extra ammonium ions was determined by taking into consideration that required for full neutralization of non-sea-salt sulfate in formation of ammonium sulfate, and seasonal variation in the results was evaluated. The results suggested that a thermal equilibrium of HNO3 and NH3 with NH4NO3 transported from the Asian continent could contribute to concentration variations of HNO3 in seasons other than summer.
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