Production of nitrogen oxides by lightning discharges

✍ Scribed by A. F. Tuck

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 516 KB
• Volume: 102
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0035-9009
• DOI: 10.1002/qj.49710243404

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The annual production of nitric oxide by lightning discharges is estimated to be 1.8 × 10^35^ molecules, within rather large limits of uncertainty. Implications for the global budget of odd nitrogen species are cursorily examined. More data are needed to decide whether or not lightning‐produced nitrogen oxides are transported in significant quantities to the stratosphere.

Closer studies of the budget of nitrate in rainwater, and of air trajectories in large cumulonimbus storms, are also indicated.