Lower Atmosphere

Basics

Unit 3
Ozone and nitrogen oxides as key compounds

Most chemical processes occuring in the atmosphere are oxidation processes. Besides from the hydroxi-radical OH mainly two other compounds dominate in these processes. They are very important trace compounds in the atmosphere: ozone O₃ and nitrogen oxides as NO, NO₂, NO₃.

In  this unit you will learn about the formation and main characteristics of these compounds. In particular for ozone its role is often misunderstood. While this gas is undesirable in the troposphere, we essentially need it in the stratosphere. Here you will learn about the negative impacts and the formation of ozone smog in the troposphere.

About this page:

author: Dr. Elmar Uherek - Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz
scientific reviewer: Dr. Rolf von Kuhlmann - Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz
last published: 2004-04-30