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Science 21 April 1972:
Vol. 176. no. 4032, pp. 290 - 292
DOI: 10.1126/science.176.4032.290
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Articles

Carbon Monoxide Balance in Nature

Bernard Weinstock 1 and Hiromi Niki 1

1 Scientific Research Staff, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan 48121

Consideration of the steady-state equations for stable carbon monoxide and for radioactive carbon monoxide in the troposphere leads to the conclusion that carbon monoxide is produced at a rate of 5x1015 grams per year, a value some 25 times greater than the rate of carbon monoxide production from combustion. The concomitant residence time for carbon monoxide is 0.1 year, in agreement with a previous estimate of Weinstock. Hydroxyl radicals are shown to account for both the production of this large amount of carbon monoxide by methane oxidation and for its removal by carbon monoxide oxidation. The average concentration of hydroxyl radicals in the troposphere required to achieve this effect is 2.3x106 molecules per cubic centimeter, with a daytime concentration of twice that. Levy and McConnell, McElroy, and Wofsy have deduced concentrations of hydroxyl radicals in the troposphere of the same magnitude from purely photochemical considerations, in support of this model.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
New Observational Constraints for Atmospheric Hydroxyl on Global and Hemispheric Scales.
S. A. Montzka, C. M. Spivakovsky, J. H. Butler, J. W. Elkins, L. T. Lock, and D. J. Mondeel (2000)
Science 288, 500-503
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Hydroxyl Radical Concentrations Measured in Ambient Air.
C. C. Wang, L. I. Davis Jr., C. H. Wu, S. Japar, H. Niki, and B. Weinstock (1975)
Science 189, 797-800
   Abstract »    PDF »
Carbon Monoxide: Natural Sources Dwarf Man's Output.
T. H. Maugh II (1972)
Science 177, 338-339
   PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)