FORMATION OF MOLECULAR CHLORINE FROM THE PHOTOLYSIS OF OZONE AND AQUEOUS SEA-SALT PARTICLES

Halogen atoms from the reactions of sea-salt particles may play a sign ificant role in the marine boundary layer, Reactions of sodium chlorid e, the major component of sea-salt particles, with nitrogen oxides gen erate chlorine atom precursors, However, recent studies suggest there is an additional source of chlorine in the marine troposphere, This st udy shows that molecular chlorine is generated from the photolysis of ozone in the presence of sea-salt particles above their deliquescence point; this process may also occur in the ocean surface layer. Given t he global distribution of ozone, this process may provide a global sou rce of chlorine.