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Man made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons, bromofluorocarbons are depleters of the ozone layer. There is evidence that natural sources of bromides and chlorides from ocean spray and volcanos can contribute to the depletion of the ozone as well as the Chloro- and Bromo- fluorocarbons produced by Man. It is thought that these levels have been constant from the ocean and the "normal" ozone levels are in balance with this natural depletion. The simplified reactions are:
CFCl3 + hν -> CFCl2 + Cl
Cl + O3 -> ClO + O2
ClO + O3 + hv(?) -> Cl + 2 O2
In words:
- Chlorofluorocarbons undergo dissociation in the presence of sunlight to produce a chlorine ion molecule. This molecule combines with ozone to reduce it to oxygen and a ClO molecule.
- The ClO attacks another Ozone molecule producing atomic oxygen and a chloride ion. The recreation of the Cl ion and the reactive ClO lets the chlorine reform and participate through many cycles.
Only ozone (not oxygen) in our current atmopshere can absorb UV-B radiation which is very very harmful for all the living organisms when it is at elevated levels. Potential impacts are death to algae and phytoplankton... all surface life in eventually, diseases and cancer.
The fluorine in some of these compounds does not contribute to the destruction of ozone. Ozone cannot displace fluorine from whatever molecule it is joined to.
The largest player of solely Man's efforts to the depletion of ozone is the CFCs used late in the 20th century, and still being made in the third world. These compounds are so stable, they are only removed from the air in the "ozone layer".
The concentration of ozone at any point in the atmosphere, is the result of a balance between reactions that make ozone, the natural decay of ozone, and destruction of ozone by other compounds.
With the Montreal protocol to ban ODS (ozone depleting substances) releases the present atmospheric load of brominated and chlorinated substances should decrease in time.
Global warming and ozone depletion are not the same problem.
Aside: In preparing for nuclear war the USA removed all Freon cooling systems from its atomic bomb carrying ICBMs so the the ozone layer would not be affected during a missile strike.
The amount of ozone at any point is a balance of those three processes. Production / decay / consumption.
"ozone depleting substances" is more generic, since other chlorine- and bromine-containing molecules, which are produced by Man, have been found "up there" too.
Note that CFCs are not "produced by aerosols", but were intentionally manufactured for the purposes of refrigerant or aerosol propellant. Not too many countries are still making / using CFCs.
The amount of ozone in the atmosphere in any given volume is the summation of:
- (+) photoproduction of oxygen into ozone.
- (+) photoactivation and decay of N2O* into N2 and ozone.
- (-) destruction of ozone with time.
- (-) increase in rate of destruction by increasing temperature.
- (-) destruction of ozone by water vapor.
- (-) destruction of ozone by other compounds / catalysts.
- (+/-) diffusion of ozone into or out of the volume being considered.
So thinning results from a reduction in 1 and/or 2, an increase in any of 3 thru 6, or 7 ozone bleeding out into other spaces (seen adjacent to the ozone hole).
Below is a link that talks about CFC chemistry, about halfway down the page.
This title is a typo that cannot be fixed. "ofcs" should be "cfcs"
See "How do CFCs destroy ozone?"
A CFC will decompose, releasing a chlorine atom. This atom will catalyze the 2Ozone --> 3Oxygen reaction, eating away at the ozone layer.
What else can I help you with?
What CFC catalyzes a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in upper atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are catalysts that break down ozone in the upper atmosphere. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet light, releasing chlorine atoms that then catalyze the destruction of ozone molecules.
Which one of the chemical is responsible for the reduction of Ozone content of the atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are primarily responsible for the reduction of ozone content in the atmosphere. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
What has had the greatest effect on ozone depletion?
The release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances, primarily used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays, has had the greatest effect on ozone depletion. Once in the atmosphere, these chemicals break down ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
Which chemical damages the protective ozone layer?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals that have been primarily responsible for damaging the protective ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down and release chlorine atoms that then react with ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion.
What do chemicals released into the atmosphere break ozone down into to?
Chemicals released into the atmosphere, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), break ozone down into oxygen molecules and chlorine atoms through a series of chemical reactions. The chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules, leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.
How do chlorofluorocarbons build up in the atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) build up in the atmosphere when they are released from products like refrigerants and aerosols. Once in the atmosphere, CFCs break down and release chlorine atoms, which then catalyze the destruction of ozone molecules in the ozone layer.
What CFC catalyzes a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in upper atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are catalysts that break down ozone in the upper atmosphere. When CFCs reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet light, releasing chlorine atoms that then catalyze the destruction of ozone molecules.
Which one of the chemical is responsible for the reduction of Ozone content of the atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are primarily responsible for the reduction of ozone content in the atmosphere. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
Where in the atmosphere is ozone broken down by cfc's?
It is broken in the stratosphere. CFC's react with ozone to deplete it.
What has had the greatest effect on ozone depletion?
The release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances, primarily used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays, has had the greatest effect on ozone depletion. Once in the atmosphere, these chemicals break down ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
Why do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete the ozone layer?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete the ozone layer because when they are released into the atmosphere, they break down and release chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules in the stratosphere, causing the ozone molecules to break apart, leading to ozone depletion.
Which chemical damages the protective ozone layer?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemicals that have been primarily responsible for damaging the protective ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down and release chlorine atoms that then react with ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion.
What do chemicals released into the atmosphere break ozone down into to?
Chemicals released into the atmosphere, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), break ozone down into oxygen molecules and chlorine atoms through a series of chemical reactions. The chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules, leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Which one of the chemicals is responsible for the reduction of ozone layer in the atmosphere?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are primarily responsible for the reduction of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they can break down ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer.
What in greenhouse gases are bad for the ozone?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are greenhouse gases that are harmful to the ozone layer. When released into the atmosphere, they break down ozone molecules and contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, leading to increased exposure to harmful UV radiation.
Which substance is considered to be a factor affecting Earth's ozone layer?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are substances that have been identified as a major factor affecting Earth's ozone layer. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down and release chlorine atoms that can destroy ozone molecules.
What causes low ozone concentrations in the atmosphere?
Low ozone concentrations in the atmosphere are primarily caused by human activities such as the release of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other pollutants. These substances break down ozone molecules in the stratosphere, leading to a decrease in ozone levels.
