Global impact of monocyclic aromatics on tropospheric composition

Abstract. Aromatic compounds are reactive species influencing ozone formation, OH concentrations and organic aerosol formation. An assessment of their impacts on the gas-phase composition at a global scale has been performed using a general circulation atmospheric-chemistry model. Globally, we found a small annual average net decrease (less than 3 %) in global OH, ozone, and NOx mixing ratios when aromatic compounds are included in the chemical mechanism. This inclusion of aromatics also results in CO mixing ratio increases, which cause a general decrease in OH concentrations. The largest changes are found in glyoxal and NO3, with increases in the atmospheric burden of 10 % and 6 %, respect…