Hydroxyl radical OH, the 'detergent of the atmosphere', initiates oxidation of almost every VOC and CO. Principal source: O(¹D)+H₂O→2OH. Global mean [OH] ≈ 10⁶ cm⁻³ sets atmospheric lifetime of CH₄ at ~9 y.
Hydroxyl radical OH, the 'detergent of the atmosphere', initiates oxidation of almost every VOC and CO. Principal source: O(¹D)+H₂O→2OH. Global mean [OH] ≈ 10⁶ cm⁻³ sets atmospheric lifetime of CH₄ at ~9 y.