Lightning produced nitrogen oxides in the lower atmosphere - An overview

Abstract

Nitrogen oxides are dominant constituents of the atmospheric lower regions namely, troposphere and stratosphere. Lightning phenomenon plays an important role in governing the odd nitrogen oxides in the lower atmosphere and hence in global change process. In this paper, studies made by different workers on the lightning produced nitrogen oxides and other related phenomena have been reviewed. Studies in this direction are very sparse in India. Besides the ground based, balloon borne and satellite-borne measurements, aircraft measurements in India and elsewhere are essential for providing global information. In order to make reliable measurements the experimental site should he in remote areas free from heavy industrial pollution, so that the contaminations due to direct influence or anthropogenic activities are avoided.