Warm Polar Cloud Chemistry: Can the Halogen "explosion" effect cloud droplet chemistry?

The oxidative processing of pollutants in Polar clouds affects droplet size and optical properties. Polar clouds contain naturally occurring organic lipids forming organic films on the droplet. Oxidation and removal of this film can cause cloud evaporation or new cloud formation. Polar cloud chemistry unusually involves bromine oxides. In this work, we will study the kinetics of HOBr with the surface active lipid,POPC and material extracted from atmospheric filters. Specifically, we will (a) demonstrate that a common aqueous cloud oxidant, HOBr, can penetrate deep into the organic film and remove the film, (b) calculate the effect of the reaction on the hygroscopic properties of a cloud droplet and demonstrate removal of the organic film may cause a cloud to evaporate, (c) measure the kinetic rate constants for film oxidation and assess atmospheric relevance relative to ozone oxidation.