Depletion of the ozone layer

The importance of ozone in the stratosphere has been stressed in Section 9.3.8. The fact that ozone can be decomposed by the halogen monoxides CIO, BrO and 10 means that their presence in the stratosphere contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. For example, iodine, in the form of methyl iodide, is released into the atmosphere by marine algae and is readily photolysed, by radiation from the sun, to produce iodine atoms which can react with ozone to produce 10 ... 

Depletion of the Ozone Layer. As a constituent of the atmosphere, ozone forms a protective screen by absorbing radiation of wavelengths between 200 and 300 nm, which can damage DNA and be harmful to life. Consequently, a decrease in the stratospheric ozone concentration results in an increase in the uv radiation reaching the earth s surfaces, thus adversely affecting the climate as well as plant and animal life. Pot example, the incidence of skin cancer is related to the amount of exposure to uv radiation. 

Ozone forms a layer around the Earth that insulates against thermal radiation. This layer is being destroyed by pollutants (principally fluorocarbons). The effect of the depletion of the ozone layer is to warm the Earth (and hence exacerbate the greenhouse effect) and may also lead to an increase in the incidence of skin cancers. 

The haloalkanes (also called alkyl halides) are alkanes in which at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced by a halogen atom. Although they have important uses, many haloalkanes are highly toxic and a threat to the environment. The haloalkane 1,2-dichlorofluoroethane, CHC1FCH2C1, is an example of a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), one of the compounds held responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer (see Box 13.3). Many pesticides are aromatic compounds with several halogen atoms. 

A typical example of the interaction between hypothesis and experiment is the story of the work that resulted in worldwide concern over the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. These studies led to the awarding of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Chemistry to Paul Crutzen, Mario Molina, and F. Sherwood Rowland. Figure FT provides a schematic view of how this prize-winning research advanced. It began in 1971 when experiments revealed that chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, had appeared in the Earth s atmosphere. At the time, these CFCs were widely used as refrigerants and as aerosol propellants. Rowland wondered what eventually would happen to these gaseous compounds. He carried out a theoretical analysis, from which he concluded that CFCs are very durable and could persist in the atmosphere for many years. 

Events that take place on a grand scale often can be traced to the molecular level. An excellent example is the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth s stratosphere. The so-called ozone hole was first observed above the Antarctic in the 1980s and is now being observed above both the Arctic and Antarctic poles. The destruction of ozone in the stratosphere is caused primarily by reactions between chlorine atoms and ozone molecules, as depicted in our molecular inset view. 

Since nitrous oxide, NjO, is a designated "greenhouse" gas, and may contribute to depletion of the ozone layer, its removal from emissions to atmosphere is desirable [1]. However, there are several reports that NjO can be formed at low selectivity as an undesirable by-product of NO+CO conversions during the initial warm-up-from-cold periods in three-way-catalytic (TWC) converters or components thereof [1-3]. TWC s commonly contain Rhodium and Ceria and although N,0 dissociation over RhjO, has been extensively studied [4], the following are among mechanistic possibilities as yet... 

Informed debate and decisions on such important matters as the depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain and the quality of waterways all depend on the data provided by analytical chemists. Forensic evidence also often depends on chemical measurements. National and international trade are critically dependent on analytical results. Chemical composition is often the basis for the definition of the nature of goods and tariff classification. In all of these areas not only is it important to get the right answer but it is essential that the user of the results is confident and assured that the data are truly representative of the sample and that the results are defendable, traceable and mutually acceptable by all laboratories. 

CFCs. This is adequately discussed in Chapter 12, Section 4, but certainly it deserves to be listed here. Chlorine atoms from photodissociation of CFCs in the stratosphere have led to depletion of the ozone layer protecting us from ultraviolet rays. These substances are being phased out. Substitutes have been hard to find. Do we change our way of living by giving up certain products, or do we increase R D spending to find substitutes more quickly These questions must be answered. 

Depletion of the Ozone Layer Thomas Midgley, Jr. (1889-1944) Global Climate Change... 

Which of the molecules has been linked with depletion of the ozone layer ... 

The depletion of the ozone layer increases by the catalysis of chlorofluoro carbon (CFC) with ultraviolet lights, which decompose CFC gases into free radicals of chlorine (Cl ), as a catalyst. 

There is therefore concern that the ever-increasing use of synthetic nitrate fertilizers may result in further depletion of the ozone layer. Eventually, stratospheric NO is returned to the Earth as nitric acid (see Section 8.4.2), but the overall dynamics of the complex atmospheric chemistry are still not fully understood. 

In the discussion of ecotoxicity the perhalogenated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrogen-containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and the chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbons (HCFs) have been for several years in the headlines (the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, the greenhouse or global warming effects in the troposphere).75... 

Chemical kinetics is a subject of crucial environmental and economic importance. In the upper atmosphere, for example, maintenance or depletion of the ozone layer, which protects us from the sun s harmful ultraviolet radiation, depends on the relative rates of reactions that produce and destroy O3 molecules. In the chemical industry, the profitability of the process for the synthesis of ammonia, which is used as a fertilizer, depends on the rate at which gaseous N2 and H2 can be converted to NH3. 

The other concern with the Wei T o process is its use of Freon (chlorofluorocarbons). It is known that Freon vapor escaping to the atmosphere will lead to the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Although the process is operated in a closed system, immediately after deacidification, books are stacked in shelves for drying. The escape of Freon to the atmosphere can be significant. 

Ozone depletion Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer that protects the Earth from harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Depletion of the ozone layer is due to the breakdown of certain chlorine- or bromine-containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or halons), which break down when they reach the stratosphere and then catalytically destroy ozone molecules. 

Montreal Protocol This counters the depletion of the ozone layer of the atmosphere and is mainly related to ozone depleting substances, such as methyl bromide, a widely used pesticide. 

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