Surface exchange of HONO over paddy fields in the Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract

Soil can release HONO, affecting atmospheric oxidation and tropospheric chemistry processes through the production of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and nitric oxide (NO) via photolysis. However, there is limited field observation of HONO flux, hindering a comprehensive understanding of its emission mechanisms. In this study, a dual open-top chambers system combined with a long path absorption photometer (LOPAP) was employed to measure HONO flux from paddy fields in the Pearl River Delta area (PRD), showing good reproducibility and effectivity to mitigate greenhouse effects. The average HONO flux was 0.77 ± 0.72 ng N m⁻² s⁻¹, displaying a diurnal pattern of higher fluxes during the day and lower fluxes at night, similar to previous flux observations. A strong linear correlation between the HONO flux with the product of NO₂ and solar radiation (R² = 0.90) suggests that surface reactions involving NO₂ and sunlight may dominate HONO production from the paddy fields, surpassing microbial activity within the soil. Given the diversity of field environments, more field observations are needed for assessing emission rates of HONO and understanding underlying mechanisms.