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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 catalyze the breakdown of ozone (see chlorine monoxide).
[Science; v
238; pages 1258-1260; 1987.] [Science; v 258; pages 1342-1345; 1992.]
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