Predictions of the effects on the stratosphere of changes in the oxides of nitrogen. [With discussions of NO/sub x/ chemistry and evaluation of natural and anthropogenic NO/sub x/ sources]

It was recognized that human activities might significantly increase the concentrations of the oxides of nitrogen in the stratosphere almost as soon as their influence on the ozone abundance in the natural stratosphere was established. Since the possibility of anthropogenic changes in stratospheric ozone was first discussed, several phenomena have been studied that might influence stratospheric composition. In this discussion of the influence of changes in the oxides of nitrogen on stratospheric ozone, some of the most important aspects of the chemistry of the oxides of nitrogen in the stratosphere will be examined and some of the natural and anthropogenic sources of oxides of nitrogen that have been proposed will be evaluated. Finally, the more recent estimates of the effects of these sources on stratospheric composition will be summarized.