NOx catalytic ozone destruction: sensitivity to rate coefficients

Model sensitivity experiments were conducted by using correlated ensemble variations of reaction rate coefficients. For all the simulation experiments tested, the theoretically derived concentration profiles of trace species were in comparable agreement with stratospheric observations. Thus current stratospheric measurements seem to be inadequate to assist in reducing the current uncertainties in kinetic rate data. Given this current range of uncertainties in rate coefficients, it is found that by varying as few as three rate coefficients within the estimated (Hampson and Garvin, 1975) uncertainty range the effect on ozone of lower stratospheric injection of NO(x) can be reversed. Consequently, it is clear that as a first step toward further progress more precise laboratory measurements of certain reaction rate coefficients are needed.