image: Radical role. In the troposphere, the hydroxyl radical (OH) is involved in reactions that influence the distribution and variability of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Some reactions result in the production (blue), recycling (green) or loss (red) of OH. For CO and the important greenhouse gas CH4, there is a feedback loop (dashed red arrows) that enhances the initial loss of OH. OH also destroys pollutants and greenhouse gases (black), with OH levels remaining relatively unchanged. MCF (CH3CCl3, light blue) is destroyed through reactions with OH. This figure appears in a related Perspective paper by Dr. I.S.A. Isaksen titled, "Getting a Better Estimate of an Atmospheric Radical." This image relates to an article that appeared in the Jan. 7, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Stephen Montzska at NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colo., and colleagues was titled, "Small Interannual Variability of Global Atmospheric Hydroxyl." view more
Credit: Image: Science © 2010 AAAS