This feature of tropospheric ozone is thought to have significant contributions from both in-situ photochemical and dynamic origins. NMHCs are involved in the photochemical production of tropospheric ozone and can directly influence hydroxyl radical concentrations. Therefore, adequate characterization of the NMHC composition of the atmosphere is necessary to evaluate radical sources and contributions to ozone production. This comparison will provide a basis upon which changes in urban emission patterns and transport to the Arctic region can be estimated.
Organic nitrates can be important reservoir species for tropospheric NOx.
However, the large-scale distributions of the light alkyl nitrates have previously been poorly described. Alkyl nitrate concentrations can be used to characterize and provide information on the photochemical history of an air mass.