EFFECT OF ATMOSPHERIC NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS ON TOTAL OZONE

This paper reviews the current empirical knowledge of the depletion of stratospheric ozone due to the injection of oxides of nitrogen from thermonuclear explosions in the atmosphere, discussing both the ground-based observations of global ozone after the 1961-62 multimegaton test series, and also the satellite observations of local effects following an individual French thermonuclear explosion in 1970. There is general agreement on the NO production per megaton (Mt) yield, and on the subsequent ozone depletion expected to be associated with the various nuclear tests. The latter depletion, as calculated principally by Chang and Johnston, extending earlier work of Foley and Ruderman, is small--typically of the order of several percent during a reasonable observation interval--and lies within the probable error of available ozone measurements. Existing atmospheric data do not provide a statistically significant demonstration of the cyclic destruction of ozone by oxides of nitrogen.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB-239 832.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute for Defense Analyses

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• Authors:
  • Bauer, E
  • Gilmore, F R
• Publication Date: 1975-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 42 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Atmosphere; Atmospheric chemistry; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Nuclear explosions; Ozone; Reviews; Stratosphere
• Old TRIS Terms: Aeronomy; Atmospheric composition; Nuclear explosion effects
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00090569
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: P-1076 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-OS-30057
• Files: NTIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 29 1975 12:00AM