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Atmospheric Chemistry: Oxides of
Nitrogen NOx (NO and NO2) comes from the decay of N2O, which results from biological reactions in the ground. NOx is also released directly into the atmosphere by aircraft. Reactions involving NOx that affect ozone levels are NO + O3--> NO2 + O2 and NO2 + O --> NO + O2. The NO created from the second reaction destroys another ozone molecule. NOx also has a catalytic effect, increasing the effectiveness of Clx (Cl, ClO) and HOx (OH, HO2) in their reactions with ozone. Because NOx is a byproduct of the combustion process in jet engines, there was much concern about aircraft which fly into the stratosphere, . There is still some concern about the role of aircraft emission in ozone depletion, but it is thought to be minor compared to the effect of CFCs.
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