701-1233-00L  Stratospheric Chemistry

SemesterAutumn Semester 2019
LecturersT. Peter, G. Chiodo, A. Stenke
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractThe lecture gives an overview on the manifold reactions which occur in the gas phase, in stratospheric aerosol droplets and in polar cloud particles. The focus is on the chemistry of stratospheric ozone and its influence through natural and anthropogenic effects, especially the ozone depletion caused by FCKW in mid-latitude and polar regions as well as the coupling with the greenhouse effect.
ObjectiveThe students will understand the gas phase reactions in the stratosphere as well as reactions and processes in aerosol droplets and polar stratospheric clouds.
The students will understand the most important aspects of stratospheric dynamics and the greenhouse gas effect in troposphere and stratosphere.
The students will also aquire a good understanding of the coupling between stratospheric ozone and climate change.
Furthermore, they will practise to explain fundamental concepts in stratospheric chemistry by means of scientific paper presentations.
ContentShort presentation of thermodynamical and kinetic basics of chemical reactions: bi- and termolecular reactions, photo-dissociation. Introduction to the chemical family concept: active species, their source gases and reservoir gases. Detailed treatment of the pure oxygen family (odd oxygen) according to the Chapman chemistry. Radical reactions of the oxygen species with nitric oxide, active halogens (chlorine and bromine) and odd hydrogen. Ozone depletion cycles. Methane depletion and ozone production in the lower stratosphere (photo-smog reactions). Heterogeneous chemistry on the background aerosol and its significance for heavy air traffic. Chemistry and dynamics of the ozone hole: Formation of polar stratospheric clouds and chloride activation.
Lecture notesDocuments are provided in the contact hours.
Literature- Basseur, G. und S. Solomon, Aeronomy of the Middle Atmosphere, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 3rd Rev edition (December 30, 2005).
- John H. Seinfeld and Spyros N. Pandis, Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air Pollution to Climate Change, Wiley, New York, 1998.
- WMO, Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2014, Report No. 55, Geneva, 2015.
Prerequisites / NoticePrerequisites: Basics in physical chemistry are required and an overview equivalent to the bachelor course in atmospheric chemistry (lecture 701-0471-01) is expected.

701-1233-00 V starts in the first week of the semester. The exercises 701-1233-00 U will start only in the 2nd week of the semester.