ClONO2 - This is a stratospheric reservoir species for chlorine and
nitrogen, two of the catalysts in the breakdown of ozone. It reacts with
HCl at low temperatures on the surfaces of polar stratospheric clouds
(PSCs over Antarctica and possibly in the stratosphere over the Arctic).
That normally slow reaction heterogeneously produces molecular chlorine
and nitric acid. The former outgases from the PSC surface and is quickly
photolyzed by 450 nm or shorter wavelength light to form chlorine radicals
which rapidly catalyze the breakdown of ozone (see chlorine monoxide).
[Science; v 238; pages 1258-1260; 1987.] [Science; v 258; pages 1342-1345;
1992.]
