Re:I finally understand methane lifetimes
by quantum_magpie on Friday April 29, 2022 @04:47PM
(#31210394)
There is no such thing as zero-order kinetics in atmospheric chemistry.
Re:I finally understand methane lifetimes
by isoprophlex on Sunday May 01, 2022 @08:48AM
(#31224603)
But are there pseudo zero order kinetics in atmospheric chemistry? smirks
You are correct that OH radicals regenerate, but more methane => "breakdown capacity" becomes overwhelmed.
This is known as zeroth order kinetics, similar to alcohol metabolism. Drinking 2 beers = 3 hours until sobriety; 4 beers = 6 hours. Your liver has a fixed capacity, so drinking twice as much doesn't double the metabolic rate.
I'll add that you're also entirely correct: if there's some long lived chemical that catalyzes OH formation, sending that up instead might be a good remedy IMO. If there's no collateral toxicity...