Abstract. We present the MPI-Mainz UV/VIS Spectral Atlas of Gaseous Molecules, which is a large collection of absorption cross sections and quantum yields in the ultraviolet and visible (UV/VIS) wavelength region for gaseous molecules and radicals primarily of atmospheric interest. The data files contain results of individual measurements, covering research of almost a whole century. To compare and visualize the data sets, multicoloured graphical representations have been created. The MPI-Mainz UV/VIS Spectral Atlas is available on the Internet at http://www.uv-vis-spectral-atlas-mainz.org. It now appears with improved browse and search options, based on new database software. In addition to the Web pages, which are continuously updated,

We present the MPI-Mainz UV/VIS Spectral Atlas, which is a large collection of absorption cross sections and quantum yields in the ultraviolet and visible (UV/VIS) wavelength region for gaseous molecules and radicals primarily of atmospheric interest. The data files contain results of individual measurements, covering research of al-5 most a whole century. To compare and visualize the data sets, multicoloured graphical representations have been created. The Spectral Atlas is available on the internet at http://www.uv-vis-spectral-atlas-mainz.org. It now appears with improved browse and search options, based on new database software. In addition to the web pages, which are continuously updated, a frozen version of the data is available under the 10 became evident that an up-to-date collection was needed in order to recommend absorption cross sections and quantum yields for many species of atmospheric relevance.An advanced collection together with a set of numerical data was created, subdivided into molecular categories and further augmented with multicoloured representations. The initial MPI-Mainz UV/VIS Spectral Atlas of Gaseous Molecules was first presented 5 rectly driven by the sun's radiation. Photolysis rates not only depend on the intensity of the actinic flux, but also on the photochemical and photophysical properties 413 ESSDD 6, 411-433, 2013 Abstract Instruments Data Provenance & Structure Tables Figures Back Close Full Screen / Esc Printer-friendly Version Interactive Discussion 20 25 418 ESSDD 6, 411-433, 2013

Abstract. Among the major factors controlling ozone loss in the polar vortices in winter/spring is the kinetics of the ClO dimer catalytic cycle. Here, we propose a strategy to test and improve our understanding of these kinetics by comparing and combining information on the thermal equilibrium between ClO and Cl 2 O 2 , the rate of Cl 2 O 2 formation, and the Cl 2 O 2 photolysis rate from laboratory experiments, theoretical studies and field observations. Concordant with a number of earlier studies, we find considerable inconsistencies of some recent laboratory results with rate theory calculations and stratospheric observations of ClO and Cl 2 O 2 . The set of parameters for which we find the best overall consistency -namely the ClO/Cl 2 O 2 equilibrium constant suggested by Plenge et al. (2005), the Cl 2 O 2 recombination rate constant reported by Nickolaisen et al. (1994) and Cl 2 O 2 photolysis rates based on absorption cross sections in the range between the JPL 2006 assessment and the laboratory study by Burkholder et al. (1990) -is not congruent with the latest recommendations given by the JPL and IUPAC panels and does not represent the laboratory studies currently regarded as the most reliable experimental values. We show that the incorporation of new Pope et al. (2007) Cl 2 O 2 absorption cross sections into several models, combined with best estimates for other key parameters (based on either JPL and IUPAC evaluations or on our study), results in severe model underestimates of observed ClO and observed ozone loss rates. This finding suggests either the existence of an unknown process that drives the partitioning of ClO and Cl 2 O 2 , or else some unidentified problem with either the laboratory study or numerous measurements of atmospheric ClO. Our mechanistic understanding of the ClO/Cl 2 O 2 system is grossly lacking, with severe implications for our ability to simulate both present and future polar ozone depletion.

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