Rethinking The Mesospheres Magnesium Ion Chemistry
Date
2005
Authors
Petrie, Simon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
High-level quantum chemical calculations address the structural and thermochemical properties of several novel magnesium-containing molecular ions which, we argue, are relevant to the Mg+ chemistry initiated by meteoric ablation in the mesosphere. A model for Mg+ chemistry is evaluated, with results indicating that most ionized magnesium at altitudes of 90 km and below is rapidly hydrated due to the association reactions of the pivotal HOMg+ ion. The implications of this new mechanism, apparently leading towards noctilucent cloud nucleation by Mg+, are briefly explored.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: atmospheric chemistry; magnesium; mesosphere; noctilucent cloud Ab initio calculations; Atmospheric chemistry; Magnesium; Mesosphere; Noctilucent clouds
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Source
Environmental Chemistry
Type
Journal article