Preliminary results on the formation of negative small ions in the troposphere

An attempt has been made to determine theoretically a reaction scheme to explain the formation of negative small ions in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. The terminal ions are found to be hydrated O2− and CO4−. The degree of hydration depends on temperature, and the mean number of water molecules attached to those ions is of the order of 3 or 4. As soon as the water vapor concentration is less than the concentration of carbon dioxide (above about 8 km), the terminal ion is found to be hydrated CO4−. The reaction scheme is based on measured and reasonably estimated reaction rate constants determined by using the U.S. standard atmosphere for the neutral gas composition.