Total mixing ratios

Abstract

The total mixing ratio of an atom, which may be contained in any number of different molecules, is derived as a function of altitude for the earth's mesosphere and stratosphere. It is shown that the total mixing ratio of most atoms is constant; for an escaping gas, such as hydrogen, the ratio decreases with altitude, whereas the mixing ratios of atoms deposited by meteors increase with altitude. The analysis shows that by using total mixing ratios, the individual mixing ratios at a certain altitude can be related to those of another altitude without any restrictions on chemical lifetimes.