Coupling Between Odd Nitrogen  and Chlorine Cycles
			reactive			unreactive
		q Throughout most of the lower stratosphere, the nitrogen and chlorine cycles are coupled by the above chemical reaction. q The chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) formed in this reaction does not react directly with either ozone or atomic oxygen. Therefore, this coupling reaction keeps chlorine from being in its reactive forms (Cl and ClO) (which can destroy ozone).