Ozone layer chlorofluorocarbons destruction

The other global environmental problem, stratospheric ozone depletion, was less controversial and more imminent. The U.S. Senate Committee Report supporting the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 states, Destruction of the ozone layer is caused primarily by the release into the atmosphere of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and similar manufactured substances—persistent chemicals that rise into the stratosphere where they catalyze the destruction of stratospheric ozone. A decrease in stratospheric ozone will allow more ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach Earth, resulting in increased rates of disease in humans, including increased incidence of skin cancer, cataracts, and, potentially, suppression of the immune system. Increased UV radiation has also been shown to damage crops and marine resources."... 

The following mechanism has been suggested to explain the contribution of chlorofluorocarbons to the destruction of the ozone layer ... 

The term CFCs is a general abbreviation for ChloroFluoroCarbons. They have been extensively used since their discovery in the thirties, mainly as refrigerant, foam blowing agent, or solvent because of their unique properties (non toxic, non flammable, cheap). However, after the first warning of Rowland and Molina [1] in 1974 that CFCs could destroy the protective ozone layer, the world has moved rapidly towards a phase-out of CFCs. Because the destruction of stratospheric ozone would lead to an increase of harmful UV-B radiation reaching the earth s surface, the production and use of CFCs is prohibited (since January 1, 1995 in the European Union and since January 1, 1996 worldwide). 

You probably know that compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are responsible for depleting the ozone layer in Earth s stratosphere. Did you know, however, that CFCs do their destructive work by acting as homogeneous catalysts Use the Internet to find out how CFCs catalyze the decomposition of ozone in the stratosphere. To start your research, go to the web site above and click on Web Links. Communicate your findings as a two-page press release. 

Methane is removed continually from the atmosphere by reaction with OH radicals (Section 8.3). In contrast, chlorofluorocarbons and related volatile compounds are inert under the conditions of the lower atmosphere (troposphere), so atmospheric concentrations of these refrigerants and solvents will tend to increase as long as releases continue. The chief concern over chlorofluorocarbons is that they are a major factor in destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer (Section 8.3). They have been banned under the Montreal Protocol of 1988, but it is important that whatever substitutes (inevitably greenhouse active) are introduced to replace them degrade relatively quickly in the troposphere to minimize any contribution they may be capable of making to greenhouse warming. 

In 1974, F. Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina, who shared the 1995 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Crutzen, showed that chlorine from photolyzed chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) such as CF2C12 and CFCI3, which were used as supposedly inert refrigerants, solvents for cleaning electronic components, plastic foam blowing agents, and aerosol spray propellants, can also catalyze ozone loss. Subsequently, the chlorine monoxide molecule CIO, which is involved in the chlorine-catalyzed ozone destruction cycle, has been shown to be present in the holes in the ozone layer and to correlate inversely with... 

The answer is a definite yes. Ever since Mendeleyev transformed a simple list of elements into a useful scientific tool, the periodic table has been the doorway through which researchers of all kinds can explore the universe of matter. Old elements are put to new uses, like the zinc nanoparticles in sunscreen. Familiar reactions are found to create serious problems, such as the destruction of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbons. Like Mendeleyev himself, scientists are predicting the existence of brand-new elements that have never been seen but are certain to be built someday in the laboratory. 

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. 

CC13CF3 is a chlorofluorocarbon responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer in Earth s atmosphere. How many molecules of the liquid are in 1.0 g of CC13CF3 ... 

Oxidizer Chemical substance that causes oxygen to combine with another chemical substance examples include oxygen and hydrogen peroxide Ozone depletion Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer that protects the Earth from harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Depletion of ozone layer is due to the breakdown of certain chlorine- and/or bromine-containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or halons), which break down when they reach the stratosphere and then catalytically destroy ozone molecules Ozone layer Protective layer in the atmosphere, about 15 miles above the ground. The ozone layer absorbs some of the sun s ultraviolet rays, thereby reducing the amount of potentially harmful radiation that reaches the Earth s surface PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons... 

Trichlorofluoromethane is a member of a class of molecules called chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, which contain one or two carbon atoms and several halogens. Trichlorofluoromethane is an unusual organic molecule in that it contains no hydrogen atoms. Because it has a low molecular weight and is easily vaporized, trichlorofluoromethane has been used as an aerosol propellant and refrigerant. It and other CFCs have been implicated in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer, as is discussed in Chapter 15. 

Chlorofluorocarbons (Sections 7.4, 15.9) Synthetic alkyl halides having the general molecular formula CFjrCl4 jt. Chlorofluorocarbons, abbreviated as CFCs, were used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants and contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. 

Whether reduction in use of these chlorofluorocarbons will be sufficient to prevent serious worldwide results caused by destruction of the ozone layer remains to be seen. Predictions based on the materials already in the atmosphere indicate that the damage will be significant, even if production could be stopped immediately, but such predictions are based on untested computer models and are subject to considerable error. Production has stopped or declined drastically in most countries, but the compounds proposed as substitutes are primarily those containing C, H, Cl, and F with lower stability. Whether they really reduce the effects is still uncertain, and complete replacement... 

The production of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, has been banned by international treaty because of their deleterious effect on the ozone layer. The ozone layer absorbs much of the Sun s dangerous UV radiation before it reaches the Earth s surface. CFCs are extremely stable in the lower atmosphere (one reason why they are so useful), but when they reach the stratosphere they decompose, producing potent catalysts of ozone destruction. Ozone destruction is most evident above Antarctica during the spring, when this region is exposed to the Sun for the first time in months. Dichlorodifluoromethane (CF2CI2) is a typical CFC. 

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