Uptake of ammonia by ice surfaces at atmospheric temperatures

Abstract

We present an ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of the adsorption of ammonia on ice over the temperature range −23 °C to −50 °C. Previous flow tube studies have shown significant uptake of ammonia to ice at these temperatures, which was linked to the incorporation of ammonium into the ice crystal lattice. Our present investigation shows a significant uptake of ammonia to the ice interface, with ammonia concentrations exceeding those measured in past studies for the case of bulk snow and ice. We also have indication that some of the ammonia is protonated at the ice surface and thus adsorbed there as ammonium ions. The impact of high ammonia concentrations at the air–ice interface on the surface chemistry of ice clouds is discussed. The present study lays the groundwork for investigating the reaction of adsorbed ammonia with other trace gases in the atmosphere, which is demonstrated with the example of a proof-of-principle experiment of ammonia’s interaction with acetic acid.