What gases are responsible for ozone layer depletion?

Answer 1

Natural causes of ozone depletion are the OH- ion and the NO- ion however these have been depleting the ozone layer at a sustainable level since it was formed.

In the mid 70s it was discovered that the ozone layer was being depleted and the hunt was on for the cause. Very quickly chlorofluorocarbons and bromo-fluro-carbons were found to be the culprits.

These gases were primarily used in aerosol cans, air conditioning units, refrigeration cooling units and to clean circuit boards. Once released into the atmosphere ultraviolet radiation causes the CFCs and BFCs to split and release the dangerous Cl- and Br- ions into the ozone layer.

These ions are highly reactive and readily split ozone to form oxygen molecules. Unless they react with other substances such as hydrogen chlorine and bromine ions can continue to catalyse the break down of ozone for a number of years.

CFCs were banned for use in aerosols in the USA in the 70s but public and political opinion over a widespread reduction was muted and apathetic for nearly a decade until new discoveries were made in Antarctica. Atmospheric scientists discovered that the southern continent had a hole in its ozone layer and that it was growing and caused by BFCs and CFCs. Further studies discovered a hole over the north pole too.

These new discoveries prompted an international movement not simply to reduce the level of CFC and BFC output as had been mooted for years but to completely and utterly ban them except for the most vital uses. In less than a decade this goal was achieved.

One of the replacements hydro-chloro-fluro-carbons are less damaging but still contribute some damage to the ozone layer. New disposal laws came into force to help with the recycling of many materials containing HCFCs, CFCs and BFCs to avoid the release of these into the environment. Unfortunately due to the cost most 3rd world countries don't follow these procedures and, in fact, many of the 1st world countries have vast backlogs of refrigerators and freezers requiring recycling that are slowly leaking their coolant into the atmosphere.

The effect on plant and animal life has been marked. The human cost has been indisputable with marked rises in skin cancer at most latitudes particularly in the extremes of the North and South. Some South American cities have had to cope with having no ozone layer for years.

Hydro-fluro-carbons have replaced HCFCs for many applications but whilst these don't damage the ozone layer they are greenhouse gases and contribute to climate change.

Answer 2

Greenhouse gases are largely attributed to the depletion of Earth's ozone layer - known as the greenhouse effect which was first discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824. The four major gases within the greenhouse gases are: water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone.

For more information about greenhouse gases and it's effect on Earth's environment, check the 'Related Links' below.

Answer 3

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are the main culprit, and specifically the chlorine and bromine molecules in CFCs that destroy the ozone.

Answer:Chlorine from salt water vapor is far and away the primary cause of depletion. This is the reason the thinning at the Antarctic is so much larger then the "dimple" of a hole at the Arctic.

Only trace amounts of CFC's have been discovered to have reached the ozone layer, although CFC's wold have more impact (per gram of gas) than the chlorine gas in nature. It is the sheer volume of naturally occurring gas from nature that makes this the primary gas induced cause of this thinning.

Answer 4

Use of CFC's contribute to the ozone depletion. CFC's react with ozone to deplete it.

Answer 5

CFC's affect the ozone layer. They react with ozone and deplete it.

Answer 6

The greenhouse gases deplete the ozone layer. They deplete it along with the presence of CFC's.

Answer 7

CFC's responsible for depletion of the ozone layer. UV rays are harmful radiations of the sun.

Answer 8

CFc's are responsible. They break up the ozone uinto ClO and 2O2 which then reacts with O3 to found Cl2 and O2 back gain, thus forming achain reaction.

Answer 9

CFC's are responsible for depletion of ozone. They decompose the ozone layer.