| This study describes computer simulations that were performed to investigate the kinetic behavior (steady state or oscillatory) of various atmospheric reactions. Models were constructed to simulate the atmospheric chemistry of carbon monoxide, methane, propane, and trans-2-butene. All four chemical systems contain regions where both steady state and oscillatory behavior are observed. The observed behavior was found to be dependent on the emission rates of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and (when present) methane, propane, and trans-2-butene. Chaotic behavior was not observed. In the oscillatory regions, periods of oscillation were found to be in the range of 1 month to 3 years. Comparison of the model and ambient pollutant concentrations showed that oscillations in the earth's atmosphere may occur for all of the chemical systems studied, with the exception of trans-2-butene. Implications for the stability of pollutant concentrations in the atmosphere are discussed. |
