Smog chamber investigations of the influence of NaCl aerosol on the concentration of O3 in a photosmog system

A strong enhancement of ozone production is observed in a simulated photochemical smog in the presence of NaCl aerosol. The increase in ozone is accompanied by a formation of atomic Cl. The production of Cl atoms requires humidity and probably not NOx, and it is catalyzed by glass chamber walls or in a teflonbag chamber by the presence of quartz aerosol. Cl2 is identified to be the main photochemical precursor of Cl. The formation of Cl2 is presently not understood from known reaction mechanisms. Heterogeneous reactions of O3 and OH radicals are postulated to explain this effects, that might have atmospheric relevance.