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Science 22 February 1991:
Vol. 251. no. 4996, pp. 932 - 934
DOI: 10.1126/science.251.4996.932
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Articles

Nylon Production: An Unknown Source of Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide

MARK H. THIEMENS 1 and WILLIAM C. TROGLER 1

1 Department of Chemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093

Nitrous oxide in the earth's atmosphere contributes to catalytic stratospheric ozone destruction and is also a greenhouse gas component. A precise budgetary accounting of N2O sources has remained elusive, and there is an apparent lack of source identification. One source of N2O is as a by-product in the manufacture of nylon, specifically in the preparation of adipic acid. Characterization of the reaction N2O stoichiometry and its isotopic composition with a simulated industrial adipic acid synthesis indicates that because of high rates of global adipic acid production, this N2O may account for sim10 percent of the increase observed for atmospheric N2O.

Submitted on August 14, 1990
Accepted on December 12, 1990


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Isotopic Fractionation of Stratospheric Nitrous Oxide.
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