NITROGEN

OXIDE
Nitrogen Oxides are compounds of nitrogen and oxygen
produced during combustion. They are emitted from
vehicle exhaust, and the burning of coal, oil, diesel fuel,
and natural gas, especially from electric power plants.
They are also emitted by cigarettes, gas stoves, kerosene
heaters, wood burning etc.

Chemical Properties: Environmental Effects:

*NO only burns when Description
heated with hydrogen, Excessive levels of the oxides of nitrogen,
and forms nitric acid (a particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO2), can cause
strong acid) when death in plants and roots and damage the leaves of
dissolved in water. many agricultural crops. NO2 is the damaging
*Colorless, odorless gas component of photochemical smog. Excessive
that is used as an levels increase the acidity of rain (lower the pH),
anesthetic and and thus lower the pH of surface and ground
analgesic. High waters and soil. The lowered pH can have harmful
concentrations cause a effects, possibly even death, on a variety of
narcotic effect and may biological systems.
replace oxygen, causing Entering the environment
death by asphyxia. Oxides of nitrogen are part of the biogeochemical
Nitrous oxide is also cycling of nitrogen, and are found in air, soil and
used as a food aerosol water.
in the preparation of In the atmosphere, the oxides of nitrogen are
whipping cream. rapidly equilibrated to nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
*A naturally occurring which eventually forms acid rain. In the
gas that is colorless and stratosphere, oxides of nitrogen play a crucial role
non flammable. It can in maintaining the levels of ozone. Ozone is formed
be manufactured and through the photochemical reaction between
used for a variety of nitrogen dioxide and oxygen.
things such as a Where it ends up
pharmacologic agent to Oxides of nitrogen are rapidly broken down by
produce anesthesia, a reacting with other substances found in the air.
food additive as a Nitrogen dioxide can form nitric acid in sunlight,
propellant, and an and is a major constituent of acid rain,
additive to fuels to tropospheric ozone and smog. Nitrogen oxides
increase available
react in the soil and the water to nitric acid.
oxygen in combustion.