Atmospheric oxidation capacity sustained by a tropical forest

J. Lelieveld (), T. M. Butler, J. N. Crowley, T. J. Dillon, H. Fischer, L. Ganzeveld, H. Harder, M. G. Lawrence, M. Martinez, D. Taraborrelli and J. Williams
Additional contact information
J. Lelieveld: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
T. M. Butler: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
J. N. Crowley: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
T. J. Dillon: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
H. Fischer: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
L. Ganzeveld: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
H. Harder: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
M. G. Lawrence: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
M. Martinez: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
D. Taraborrelli: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany
J. Williams: Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 27 Becherweg, 55128 Mainz, Germany

Nature, 2008, vol. 452, issue 7188, 737-740

Abstract: Forest self-reliance Measurements taken by aircraft flying over the Amazon rain forest reveal unexpectedly high concentrations of hydroxyl radicals in the lower atmosphere. Hydroxyl is the primary atmospheric oxidant, and it was conventional wisdom that large forest emissions of hydrocarbons strongly reduce the atmospheric oxidation capacity. The new data suggest that this is not the case, and that the pristine forest can 'manage' its atmospheric sustainability remarkably well. A possible mechanism is suggested: hydroxyl radicals may be recycling via the natural oxidation of volatile organic compounds, mainly isoprene. In the absence of external influences, the forest seems able to maintain a benign atmosphere. But where deforestation and anthropogenic emissions of NO intervene, photochemical air pollution remains likely.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature06870

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