Atmospheric Chemistry of Sulfuryl Fluoride: Reaction with OH Radicals, CI Atoms and O-3, Atmospheric Lifetime, IR Spectrum, and Global Warming Potential

TY - JOUR

T1 - Atmospheric Chemistry of Sulfuryl Fluoride: Reaction with OH Radicals, CI Atoms and O-3, Atmospheric Lifetime, IR Spectrum, and Global Warming Potential

AU - Andersen, Mads Peter Sulbæk

AU - Blake, D. R.

AU - Rowland, F. S.

AU - Hurley, M. D.

AU - Wallington, T. J.

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - Sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) is a radiatively active industrial chemical released into the atmosphere in significant (ktonne/year) quantities. The potential for SO2F2 to contribute to radiative forcing of climate change needs to be assessed. Long path length FTIR/smog chamber techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of CI atoms, OH radicals, and O-3 with SO2F2, in 700 Torr total pressure of air or N-2 at 296 +/- 1 K. Upper limits of k(CI + SO2F2) <9 x 10(-19), k(OH + SO2F2) <1.7 x 10(-14) and k(O-3 + SO2F2) <5.5 x 10(-2) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) were determined, Reaction with CI atoms, OH radicals, or O-3 does not provide an efficient removal mechanism for SO2F2. The infrared spectrum of SO2F2 is reported and a radiative efficiency of 0.196 W m(-2) ppbv(-1) was calculated. Historic production data estimates are presented which provide an upper limit for expected atmospheric concentrations. The radiative forcing of climate change associated with emissions of SO2F2 depends critically on the atmospheric lifetime of SO2F2. Further research is urgently needed to define the magnitude of potential nonatmospheric sinks.

AB - Sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) is a radiatively active industrial chemical released into the atmosphere in significant (ktonne/year) quantities. The potential for SO2F2 to contribute to radiative forcing of climate change needs to be assessed. Long path length FTIR/smog chamber techniques were used to investigate the kinetics of the gas-phase reactions of CI atoms, OH radicals, and O-3 with SO2F2, in 700 Torr total pressure of air or N-2 at 296 +/- 1 K. Upper limits of k(CI + SO2F2) <9 x 10(-19), k(OH + SO2F2) <1.7 x 10(-14) and k(O-3 + SO2F2) <5.5 x 10(-2) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) were determined, Reaction with CI atoms, OH radicals, or O-3 does not provide an efficient removal mechanism for SO2F2. The infrared spectrum of SO2F2 is reported and a radiative efficiency of 0.196 W m(-2) ppbv(-1) was calculated. Historic production data estimates are presented which provide an upper limit for expected atmospheric concentrations. The radiative forcing of climate change associated with emissions of SO2F2 depends critically on the atmospheric lifetime of SO2F2. Further research is urgently needed to define the magnitude of potential nonatmospheric sinks.

U2 - 10.1021/es802439f

DO - 10.1021/es802439f

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0013-936X

VL - 43

SP - 1067

EP - 1070

JO - Environmental Science & Technology

JF - Environmental Science & Technology

IS - 4

ER -