Cl + O3 ==> ClO + O2
ClO + O ==> Cl + O2
The chlorine acts like a catalyst. According to Princeton University, a catalyst is “a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected,” (“Catalyst” par. 1). When the chlorine molecule breaks free from the CFCs, it “catalytically destroys ozone” molecules (“Stratospheric Ozone: Background Material” par. 9). The process of destroying ozone molecules has five continuous steps:
- UV radiation breaks off a chlorine atom from a CFC molecule.
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The chlorine atom attacks an ozone molecule (), breaking it apart and destroying the ozone.
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The result is an ordinary oxygen molecule () and a chlorine monoxide molecule (ClO).
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The chlorine monoxide molecule (ClO) is attacked by a free oxygen atom releasing the chlorine atom and forming an ordinary oxygen molecule ().
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The chlorine atom is now free to attack and destroy another ozone molecule (). One chlorine atom can repeat this destructive cycle thousands of times.
(“Stratospheric Ozone: Background Material” par. 12)
Diagram Source: “Stratospheric Ozone: Background Material”
Scientists discovered the “ozone hole”, or thinning ozone issue in the early 1970s. To be exact, scientists “looked…at information from the Nimbus-7 satellite and realized that the hole had first appeared in 1976,”(Morgan 12).
Graph Source: Stratospheric Ozone: Background Material
Scientists have been studying the issue many ways. Scientists have been using satellites to monitor the level of ozone in the atmosphere. They have specifically been paying attention to the Antarctic region, where the ozone is recorded to be the thinnest. Besides using satellite to track down the level of ozone in the atmosphere, scientists use a Dobson machine to measure ozone levels. The units used are called Dobson units, hence Dobson machine. “Researchers are conducting laboratory and field experiments and designing computer models to study this issue. One of the primary missions of ESRL's Global Monitoring Division is to observe and understand the ozone layer through accurate, long-term measurements of ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, greenhouse gases, and solar radiation,” (“The Ozone Layer” par. 3).
Science and mankind have been working together hand in hand to try and eliminate CFCs from rising into the atmosphere and destroying the ozone. “The only way to stop the damage that is being done to the ozone layer by the CFCs is to stop using them. That means we must find safe ways of doing the jobs CFCs used to do,” (Morgan 26). One of the first steps on eliminating CFCs from the environment was the Montreal Protocol. “In 1987, 31 nations signed the Montreal Protocol.” (Morgan 26). The agreement made by the 31 nations was successful from the start. This success led to large cuts in the use of CFCs. The Montreal Protocol also mentioned that methyl bromide use should be cut down in order to restore the ozone level. Industries that produce foam fillings, air conditioning units, polystyrene or refrigerators are now using alternatives to CFCs. They are now using different artificially made chemicals as replacements to CFCs. These chemicals still damage the ozone, but not to the extent as CFCs. There is a CFC replacement that does not damage the ozone at all, and it is natural. The replacement is hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons “are just as cheap as CFCs and can do some jobs better.” (Morgan 27). In 1998, scientists found a replacement for the CFCs used in inhalers for asthma patients (Morgan 26).
There are also limitations to eliminating the use and creation of CFCs. One limitation would be economical. Removing CFCs from some products may be costly for companies. The replacement for the CFCs could be rare to find, too expensive, or unpractical (“The Ozone Layer” par. 5). Another limitation is even after the halt on CFC production, the ozone layer will remain thin for a long time. It may take CFCs “10 years to reach the ozone layer, but they do not break down until they reach there” (Morgan 15). This results in a longer period of time for the ozone layer to heal itself and become thicker.
There are many aspects of society that affect solving the problem. The banning of CFCs relates to three aspects. It relates to the social, economical, and environmental aspects of society. Socially, the CFCs are causing harm to human health. The banning of CFCs would slowly improve the situation that humans are now facing. Firstly, CFCs are thinning the ozone, allowing ultraviolet rays, or UV rays to pass through. This affects eye sight. Since eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet rays, there are many issues that arise from continuous CFC use. It is recommended to wear sunglasses whenever outside to protect one’s eyes from UV rays. Damages that have been caused by UV rays include snow blindness, which is the eyes see snow drifting to the ground, when in fact no snow is around; and cataract, which is the condition where eyes cloud over, and lead to blindness (Morgan 24). Secondly, UV rays could cause skin cancer. Skin absorbs UV rays for vitamin D, but too much of UV ray absorption leads to skin damage. If UV rays are absorbed into the skin for long periods of time and frequently, skin cancer can arise over time. This is also affecting the animals as well, like cattle and sheep. Australia came up with a catchy campaign, reminding the public of the dangers of UV rays. The “slip, slap, slop” campaign encourages people to slip into clothes to cover their legs and arms, slap on a hat, and slop on sunscreen (Morgan 25).
Economically, people started to argue that living with the issue is cheaper than actually taking action. There were two sides to this argument. The skeptics and the scoffers. “In 1987, the Reagan Administration officials advocated a "Personal Protection Plan" as an alternative to controlling CFC emissions,” (“The Skeptics vs. the Ozone Hole” par. 26). Scoffers mentioned that if every American was to buy two bottles of sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat, the bill would reach around 8 billion USD per year. That does not seem to be a cheaper way of handling things. Dealing with the problem will be expensive to start with, but in the long run, it is cheaper than living with the problem.
This issue has a large impact on the environmental aspect of society. Society is taking charge of how to minimise this issue. Many industries and farms are now reducing their CFC intake, or eliminating it totally, to try and repair the ozone hole. The head of the United Nations Environment Programme has mentioned that “the efforts to repair the ozone layer has been one of the greatest environmental success stories,” (Morgan 28). Industries that supply or create foam packages are needed to limit using ozone-damaging chemicals (Morgan 28). One action plan that is taking place today to minimize the CFC emissions from refrigerators. Since old second hand refrigerators are being imported to Ghana from Europe still contain CFCs, refrigerator manufacturers are training locals on how to convert refrigerators running on CFCs to run on propane gas, to make them more environmentally friendly (Morgan 29).
Works Cited
"BOM Ozone Lesson." Bureau of Meteorology - Home Page. Bureau of Meteorology - Australia. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/Students_Teachers/ozanim/ozoanim.shtml>.
"Catalyst." Def. 1. Princeton University - WordNet Search. Princeton University. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. <http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=catalyst>.
Drage, Thomas, and Dannel Yeo. "The Importance of the Ozone Layer." Draget.net. Draget. Web. 21 Feb. 2010. <http://www.draget.net/hoe/index.php?p=p18>.
Morgan, Sally. Ozone Hole. London: Sea to Sea Publications, 2007. Print.
"The Ozone Layer." NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Outstanding Accomplishments in Research, 14 June 2007. Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.oar.noaa.gov/climate/t_ozonelayer.html>.
"The Skeptics vs. the Ozone Hole : Weather Underground." Welcome to Weather Underground : Weather Underground. Wunderground. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.wunderground.com/education/ozone_skeptics.asp>.
"Stratospheric Ozone: Background Material." UCAR | Understanding atmosphere, Earth, and Sun | home. University Corporation of Atmospheric Research. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_6_1.htm>.
