General theory of the alkali metals present in the earth's upper atmosphere. I - Flux model: Chemical and dynamical processes
Abstract
The frame of a flux model adapted to the simulation of the seasonal, meridional, and diurnal variations of metallic compounds such as NaOH, NaO2, and Na(+)H2O is defined, and the dynamical processes and the preponderant chemical reactions affecting the various compounds taken into account are developed and detailed. Different types of existing models are distinguished, considering their potentialities and limitations. The flux model's ability to simulate short-term variations by transfer of material inside the metallic-compounds family and long-term variations by parameter changes in source and sink mechanisms are considered. An analysis of the ionic clustering reactions which includes the influence of the buffer gas, the temperature, and the ion and ligand molecules is presented. The clustering chains of various alkalis (sodium, potassium, and lithium) are compared using the so determined reaction rates. Indications of experimental confirmation of this modelling are discussed.