Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Laughing Gas in a Vicious Circle

Laughing Gas in a Vicious Circle

May 15, 2001

Italian researchers discover another mechanism for the formation of atmospheric N2O

Summer smog, the ozone hole, the greenhouse effect – the complex web of chemical
reactions in the atmosphere, which leads to manifold environmental problems, is still not fully
cleared up. In a tricky way, a single chemical compound is found at the center of the action:
laughing gas (N2O). A group of Italian chemists working with Giulia de Petris at the University
La Sapienza in Rome has now discovered an important mechanism by which laughing gas is
formed in the atmosphere.
Laughing gas sounds like a nice, harmless substance. In humans, the slightly sweet-smelling gas is completely
safe if properly handled. It is used as an anesthetic as well as for making whipped cream. Unfortunately it is also
used as a party drug because it can cause convulsive laughter – hence the name – and a high when inhaled.
In our atmosphere, dinitrogen monoxide, as N2O is known to chemists, shows its unfriendly side; it acts as a
greenhouse gas and is the main source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the upper layers of the atmosphere, the
stratosphere. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to the greenhouse effect. On top of this, the reaction that converts
laughing gas to nitrogen oxides destroys the ozone layer. The nitrogen oxides then also go on to contribute to the
formation of the ozone hole. But how does laughing gas get into the atmosphere? The main route is through
microbial decomposition of nitrogen-containing compounds in the soil, especially upon heavy fertilization with
nitrogen-containing fertilizers. It is also a byproduct of combustion processes.
Additionally, De Petris and coworkers have discovered another important, completely different mechanism for
the formation of laughing gas. They generated electrically charged ozone molecules and mixed them with nitrogen.
This caused an adduct of the two compounds to form, which then decomposed to form N2O and dioxygen.
Charged ozone particles are formed in the atmosphere when ozone-enriched air is electrically
charged. Sufficiently high voltages occur in the vicinity of power-lines and during thunderstorms.
This thus closes the circle: Under summer smog conditions, nitrogen oxides from emissions form
ozone. This ground-level ozone is then responsible for the formation of laughing gas, which then
destroys the ozone layer in the stratosphere while making more nitrogen oxides.





WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH



Related Ozone Current Events and Ozone News Articles Ozone Current Events and Ozone News RSS Ozone Current Events and Ozone News RSS
Oceans' uptake of manmade carbon may be slowing
The oceans play a key role in regulating climate, absorbing more than a quarter of the carbon dioxide that humans put into the air.

Tiny bubbles clean oil from water
Small amounts of oil leave a fluorescent sheen on polluted water. Oil sheen is hard to remove, even when the water is aerated with ozone or filtered through sand.

A bubbling ball of gas
The Sun is a bubbling mass. Packages of gas rise and sink, lending the sun its grainy surface structure, its granulation. Dark spots appear and disappear, clouds of matter dart up - and behind the whole thing are the magnetic fields, the engines of it all.

Nitrogen loss threatens desert plant life, study shows
As the climate gets warmer, arid soils lose nitrogen as gas, reports a new Cornell study. That could lead to deserts with even less plant life than they sustain today, say the researchers.

Researchers discover links between city walkability and air pollution exposure
A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality.

Interactions with aerosols boost warming potential of some gases
For decades, climate scientists have worked to identify and measure key substances -- notably greenhouse gases and aerosol particles -- that affect Earth's climate.

Report examines hidden costs of energy production and use
A new report from the National Research Council examines and, when possible, estimates "hidden" costs of energy production and use -- such as the damage air pollution imposes on human health -- that are not reflected in market prices of coal, oil, other energy sources, or the electricity and gasoline produced from them.

Air pollutants from abroad a growing concern, says new report
Plumes of harmful air pollutants can be transported across oceans and continents -- from Asia to the United States and from the United States to Europe -- and have a negative impact on air quality far from their original sources, says a new report by the National Research Council.

U.S. needs nearly $200 million more on climate-related health research
A recent commentary suggests that the U.S. should spend roughly $197 million more than it currently does to research the impact of climate change on public health.

Ozone layer depletion levelling off
By merging more than a decade of atmospheric data from European satellites, scientists have compiled a homogeneous long-term ozone record that allows them to monitor total ozone trends on a global scale - and the findings look promising.
More Ozone Current Events and Ozone News Articles
Big Blue Air Ball Ozone Generator

Big Blue Air Ball Ozone Generator
by Big Blue Air

Dont be fooled by other products that claim to eliminate odor but are not true ozone generators. Many of these are simply ionizers, which do not eliminate odors nearly as effectively or quickly as ozone generators do. For air purification in grow rooms, as well as kitchens, offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, hotel rooms, and other small to medium-sized areas. The Air Ball is a corona discharge ozone generator which removes odors caused by organic nutrients and plants, as well as food, beverages, tobacco smoke, mold, mildew and other elements. This convenient unit sits on any table, shelf or hangs on the wall for automatic air purification. Its unique style, blends into any room and provides you with fresh, clean air. Its energy efficient, using only 6 watts. Its closest...

Glasses

Glasses
by Ozone



Suraki Ozone Generator Room Air Purifier

Suraki Ozone Generator Room Air Purifier
by Samson Brands

This air filter was designed to be used in smaller places such single rooms, closets, restrooms and Pet Habitats. It is compact enough to join you on vacation or business trips. The ozone technology eliminates odors and sterilizes killing up to 99.9% of viruses, molds and bacteria. The Suraki GBA-200 uses the corona discharge method of ozone production and is effective in areas up to 300 sq. ft. Suraki GBA-200 has shown to be effective with germs commonly found in pet areas:Household germs: Dermatophytes E. coli Legionella Pneumophila Salmonella Staphylococcus Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Molds and Mildew Dogs: Parvovirus Paramyxovirus (Distemper) Canine demodicosis Canine scabies Cats: Ear mites Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Hydrogen Peroxide & Ozone

Hydrogen Peroxide & Ozone
by Conrad LeBeau (Author)

Provides detailed information on the home use of hydrogen peroxide or ozone in the treatment of viral infections, arthritis, emphysema, carpal tunnel syndrome, gangrene, poor blood circulation and tumors. Anecdotal reports and scientific research provided. Over 110,000 copies sold. Instructions provided on special formulas to make at home and others for heath care professionals.

3Q Electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier

3Q Electrostatic Ionic Air Purifier
by 3Q INTERNATIONAL

This is an electronic air purifier. It uses what is known as an ionizer to filter out the dirty air. The electronic air purifiers have two sections for getting rid of dirty air. One section is for ionizing and the other section is for collecting the dirt. In the ionizing section, dirty air particles pass between ionizing wires and plates connected to a high voltage power supply. Over 8000 volts ionizes the air, creating positive ions which attach to the particles leaving them with an intense electrical charge. The charged particles then move to the collection section, where they encounter closely-spaced, oppositely-charged collector plates. Positively-charged particles attach to the negative plates and negatively-charged particles attach to the positive plates. Negative ions are important...

Discozone

Discozone
by The O Zone

O Zone, Discozone

OZONE A New Medical Drug

OZONE A New Medical Drug
by Velio Bocci (Author)

Oxygen-ozone therapy is a complementary approach less known than homeopathy and acupuncture because it has come of age only three decades ago. This book clarifies that, in the often nebulous field of natural medicine, the biological bases of ozone therapy are totally in line with classic biochemical, physiological and pharmacological knowledge. Ozone is an oxidising molecule, a sort of superactive oxygen, which, by reacting with blood components, generates a number of chemical messengers responsible for activating crucial biological functions such as oxygen delivery, immune activation, release of hormones and induction of antioxidant enzymes, which is an exceptional property for correcting the chronic oxidative stress present in atherosclerosis, diabetes, infections and cancer. Moreover...

Airfree Onix 3000 Ozone Free Home Air Purifier

Airfree Onix 3000 Ozone Free Home Air Purifier
by Airfree

Airfree is the right solution for allergy and asthma suffers. It is also highly indicated for mold problems.Let us introduce you to Airfree the new and clean technology to reduce indoor pollution. Inside Airfreeââ¬â¢s patented ceramic core 99.99% of all micro-organisms: spores, fungus, bacteria, virus, mold spores, are incinerated at temperatures around 400F (250úC). That is done without significant heat contribution to the ambient. No living microorganism survives this power.Airfree reduces Ozone whereas ozone generators generate dangerous levels of such harmful gas that destroys lung tissue, triggers respiratory diseases, and corrodes metallic equipment. Model: Airfree Onix 3000 Capacity: 650 sq.ft (61mò) Eletric consumption: 52W Voltage: 110-240V Dimensions: height...

ozOne

ozOne
by ZerO One

still more...calculated adventures in electronica...
thoughtful soundtracks for intellectual stimulation

ozOne: thE spacE bEtwEEN yOur thOughts.

Synthmaster Kevin Dooley presents his third full length Waveform release and follow up to his highly praised debut work "ZerO One" and second stellar "protOtype2" title with a continued ascent to new heights in both sound quality and compositional technique, while remaining true to his distinctive style.

ZERO:
That point from which positive or negative qualities are systematically measured: the first of which would be a single unit such as One.
ONE:
Characterized by unity; forming a whole. 01: The basis of all binary digital language.

O3Cleanse Ozone Sanitizer - OZ-0002

O3Cleanse Ozone Sanitizer - OZ-0002
by USI International Inc.

The O3Fridge Refrigerator Ozone Sanitizer is a small, noiseless device used to eliminate odors, harmful bacterias and molds from your refridgerator with the touch of one button. The O3Fridge uses 3 AA batteries to run the high and low settings.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com