title: Freezing halide ion solutions and the release of interhalogens to the atmosphere.
abstract: The effect of freezing on a variety of acidified and neutral, nitrite ion and halide-containing mixtures has been investigated using UV/vis spectroscopy. Several trihalide ions were formed and monitored, including I(2)Cl(-), I(2)Br(-), ICl(2)(-) and IBr(2)(-). A mechanism to explain the observations is given in terms of steps involving INO and the nitroacidium ion, [H(2)ONO](+). The transformation of sea salt components to specific trihalide ions by freezing represents a potentially important process in a polar atmospheric context. This is because the dichloro- and dibromo-trihalide ions can release chlorine- and bromine-containing gases, which are key intermediates in ozone destruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Driscoll
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minogue
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sodeau