Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Chlorine nitrate

Chlorine nitrate

ClONO2, this is a stratospheric reservoir species for chlorine and nitrogen, two of the catalysts in the breakdown of ozone. Frankly, it is named in a confusing manner; it is formed from the reaction of chlorine monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (not chlorine atoms with nitrate). It reacts with HCl at low temperatures on the surfaces of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs over Antarctica and probably also in the stratosphere over the Arctic). That normally slow reaction heterogeneously produces molecular chlorine and nitric acid. The former outgases from the PSC surface and is quickly photolyzed by 450 nm or shorter wavelength light to form chlorine radicals which rapidly catalyse the breakdown of ozone (see chlorine monoxide).

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.
0
Collect to Blossary

Member comments

You have to log in to post to discussions.

Terms in the News

Featured Terms

Harry8L
  • 0

    Terms

  • 0

    Blossaries

  • 1

    Followers

Industry/Domain: Computer Category: Tablet PC

DIY iPad 3

A do-it-yourself iPad assembled from scratch by an enterprising Chinese man named Xinying Liu. Responding to hot demand from China's young enthusiasts ...