Title: On the chemistry of H2O H2 and meteoritic ions in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
Abstract: In the Earth's lower thermosphere and mesosphere, water vapor is photodissociated by absorption of Lyman alpha radiation. The hydrogen containing free radicals produced by this process lead to the formation of molecular hydrogen. Therefore, very small water vapor mixing ratios are expected at high altitudes, particularly in summer, when photolysis is especially rapid. We present one and two-dimensional model calculations regarding the distribution of H2O and H2 in the upper atmosphere. The ion chemistry of meteor ions in the lower thermosphere is also examined and it is shown that silicon ion densities can be used to infer water vapor concentrations near 100 km. The water vapor mixing ratios obtained are generally well below one part per million and are in good agreement with the model calculations.
Publication Year: 1982
Publication Date: 1982-11-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 50
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