Fig. 5: Simplified gas-phase iodine chemistry in the remote atmosphere.
From: The gas-phase formation mechanism of iodic acid as an atmospheric aerosol source
After activation of iodine reservoirs (step 1), HIO3 is efficiently formed (step 2) and subsequently nucleates and grows particles extremely efficiently (step 3). Iodate (IO3−) can be reduced and re-emitted to the gas phase (step 4), closing an iodine-catalysed reaction cycle forming particles and destroying O3. HIO3 formation from IOIO links iodine sources and new particle formation even at lower IO concentrations. This mechanism is currently missing from atmospheric models.
