Ozone in the stratosphere

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5745333

The chemistry of ozone in the atmosphere begins with absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by O/sub 2/ molecules in the stratosphere. Chemical bond rupture occurs, and ozone is produced. If nitric oxide, NO, is somehow introduced into the stratosphere, a chain reaction takes place. The NO and NO/sub 2/ reactions furnish a true catalytic cycle in which NO and NO/sub 2/ are the catalysts. Because of these reactions, oxides of nitrogen directly introduced into the stratosphere are expected to destroy ozone. This was the basis of the first perceived threat of the ozone layer - larger fleets of supersonic aircraft depositing oxides of nitrogen via their engine exhausts. Nuclear explosions also produce copious quantities of oxides of nitrogen. In 1974, concern was raised about other man-made atmospheric pollutants, especially the chlorofluoromethanes. It was recognized that they could enter into their own catalytic cycle, destroying ozone in a manner exactly analogous to the destruction caused by the oxides of nitrogen. 3 figures.

• OSTI ID: 5745333
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 20:4; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DECOMPOSITION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EXPLOSIONS
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
POLLUTION SOURCES
RADIATIONS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION
STRATOSPHERE
SYNTHESIS