The ozone layer—uncertainties in reaction rates

The concern about possible modifications to the ozone layer due to man’s activities has prompted a number of numerical model predictions of the behaviour of atmospheric ozone. All models contain approximations, and it is importan to consider the model predictions in the light of these approximations. Apart from the purely numerical approximations, uncertainties in the treatment of atmospheric chemistry, radiation and dynamics can be identifie. See for instance Mahlmann (1975) and Harwood and Pyle (1979). The impact of recent evaluations of reactions involving HO₂ was discussed by Crutzen and Howard (1978) and Whitten et al. (1978). In this note we will discuss briefly the importance to calculations of the ozone layer of the rate constants of the reactions: