Phosphorus Chemistry in the Earth’s Upper Atmosphere

The ablation of phosphorus from interplanetary dust particles entering the Earth's atmosphere is a potentially significant source this key bioelement. In study, atmospheric chemistry explored by developing reaction network possible routes PO, major product in upper mesosphere/lower thermosphere region, to stable reservoirs H3PO3 and H3PO4 that become incorporated into meteoric smoke (MSPs) as metal phosphites phosphates, respectively. constructed with reactions whose kinetics have been measured experimentally, together where theoretical rate coefficients are estimated using combination electronic structure theory calculations Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Markus master equation treatment. then global chemistry-climate model, input function. mean P deposition flux, form submicron-sized MSPs, 1 × 10−8 g m−2 yr−1, maximum ∼5 yr−1 over northern Rockies, Himalayas, southern Andes. fraction ablated forming bioavailable 11%, which results very large concentrations O H compared OH mesosphere. A layer OPO predicted occur at 90 km peak concentration ∼50 cm−3; counterpart well-known layers metals such Na Fe, may be observable spectroscopically.