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Originally published in Science Express on 27 August 2009
Science 2 October 2009:
Vol. 326. no. 5949, pp. 123 - 125
DOI: 10.1126/science.1176985
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Reports

Nitrous Oxide (N2O): The Dominant Ozone-Depleting Substance Emitted in the 21st Century

A. R. Ravishankara,* John S. Daniel, Robert W. Portmann

By comparing the ozone depletion potential–weighted anthropogenic emissions of N2O with those of other ozone-depleting substances, we show that N2O emission currently is the single most important ozone-depleting emission and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century. N2O is unregulated by the Montreal Protocol. Limiting future N2O emissions would enhance the recovery of the ozone layer from its depleted state and would also reduce the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system, representing a win-win for both ozone and climate.

Chemical Sciences Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: A.R.Ravishankara{at}noaa.gov

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Nitrous Oxide: No Laughing Matter.
D. J. Wuebbles (2009)
Science 326, 56-57
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