Table of Contents
What causes ozone degradation?
Ozone depletion occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons—gases formerly found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants—are released into the atmosphere (see details below). CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that break down ozone molecules, reducing ozone’s ultraviolet radiation-absorbing capacity.
What products contribute to ozone depletion?
ODS include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, hydrobromofluorocarbons, chlorobromomethane, and methyl chloroform. ODS are generally very stable in the troposphere and only degrade under intense ultraviolet light in the stratosphere.
What factors affect ozone?
Many factors impact ground-level ozone development, including temperature, wind speed and direction, time of day, and driving patterns. Due to its dependence on weather conditions, ozone is typically a summertime pollutant and a chief component of summertime smog.
Why is the ozone hole increasing?
Scientists accept that the depletion in the ozone layer is caused by human-made gases called CFCs, which were first developed in the 1930s for use in refrigeration systems and were then deployed as propellants in aerosol spray cans. The chemicals are stable so can travel from the Earth’s surface to the stratosphere.
What are the causes and effects of ozone layer?
The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in UV-B rays reaching the earth’s surface. Causes : chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), halons, and other compounds deplete the ozone layer. These chemicals are found in cleaning agents, aerosols, insulating foam, and refrigerants.
Which element makes up the ozone?
oxygen atoms
Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, often referenced as O3. Ozone is formed when heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX ) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), which are also known as Hydrocarbons.
How do ozone depleting substances affect ozone shield?
Ozone depleting substances are man-made gases that destroy ozone once they reach the ozone layer. The ozone layer sits in the upper atmosphere and reduces the amount of harmful ultra violet radiation that reaches Earth from the sun.
How is ozone created?
Stratospheric ozone is formed naturally through the interaction of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with molecular oxygen (O2). The “ozone layer,” approximately 6 through 30 miles above the Earth’s surface, reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.
Is the ozone hole increasing or decreasing?
This year’s Antarctic ozone hole is already among the 25\% largest in recorded history and is still growing. The 2021 ozone hole over Antarctica is among the 25\% largest in recorded history. (Image credit: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, ECMWF.)