Nitrogen oxides in the troposphere: Global and regional budgets

Journal Article · Tue Dec 20 04:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC088iC15p10785· OSTI ID:6984222

Logan, J A

The cycle of nitrogen oxides in the troposphere is discussed from both global and regional perspectives. Global sources for NO/sub x/ are estimated to be of magnitude 50( +- 25) x 10/sup 12/gmN yr/sup -1/. Nitrogen oxides are derived from combustion of fossil fuels (approx.40%) and biomass burning (approx.25%) with the balance from lightning and microbial activity in soils. Estimates for the rate of removal of NO/sub x/ based on recent atmospheric and precipitation chemistry data are consistent with global source strengths derived here. Industrial and agricultural activities provide approximately two thirds of the global source for NO/sub x/. In North America, sources from combustion of fossil fuels exceed natural sources by a factor of 3--13. Wet deposition removes about one third of the combustion source of NO/sub x/ over North America, while dry deposition removes a similar amount. The balance is exported from the continent. Deposition of nitrate in precipation over eastern Canada and the western Atlantic is clearly influenced by sources of NO/sub x/ in the eastern United States. Major uncertainties in the cycle of NO/sub x/ are attributed to lack of field measurements and inadequate understanding of heterogeneous processes involving NO/sub x/.

• Research Organization: Center for Earth and Planetary Physics, Harvard University
• OSTI ID: 6984222
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:C15; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EMISSION
NITRIC OXIDE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TROPOSPHERE
WASHOUT