Ozone Depletion

Ozone
when three atoms of oxygen occur
together
chemically active with short average
lifetime
natural layer high in the atmosphere,
protects us from harmful ultraviolet
radiation
pollutant when present in the lower
atmosphere (result of air pollution)

Structure of atmosphere and reduction

of UV by ozone

Ultraviolet radiation

Formation of O3

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
as a group called halogens
non-reactive, nonflammable, nontoxic
organic molecules
great properties for heating and cooling
used in:

refrigerators, air conditioners

blowing foams
cleaning electronics (no residues)
pressuring agent for aerosol cans
halons (fire extinguishers)

Uses of CFCs and

amounts emitted

Discovery of link of CFCs to

ozone depletion
Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina
published paper in 1974
received Nobel prize in 1995

concluded that CFCs, although stable in

lower atmosphere, could be damaging in
upper atmosphere
problem was chlorine atoms from CFCs

each Cl could destroy 100,000 O3 molecules

was a catalyst and was regenerated

Ozone depletion and CFCs

ozone depleted due to emission of CFCs
CFCs are stable and have a long residence
time in the atmosphere
more UV radiation reaches lower
atmosphere
other chemicals such as methyl bromide
also important (Br)
pesticide, now being phased out

Size of Antarctic ozone hole

September 24, 2006

http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/movies/index.html

Management Issues
collection and reuse of CFCs
substitutes for CFCs
HFCs and HCFCs

short-term adaptation to ozone

depletion

What did world do?

1978 USEPA bans CFCs in aerosol cans
1987 Montreal protocol
140 countries sign, including US
phase out of CFCs (still black market)

now use compounds that have fluorine

much less effective at ozone depletion than Cl

problem is still getting worse and it will

take time for CFCs to start to decline

Future for ozone

worse before it gets better
we have changed use and release of
CFCs, but now N2O
long residence time and continued
release (from old sources) still will be
problem
stay out of the sun!