AP Environmental Science 9.1-9.2 - Ozone Depletion

Thomas Midgley Jr

Thomas Midgley Jr

The General Motors chemist who discovered the first chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) in 1930.

O3

The layer of ozone gas (________) in the upper stratosphere that screens out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

UV

________ light breaks off chlorine molecule (Cl) from the CFC particle.

Chlorine

________ acts as a catalyst to break down ozone (O3)

Catalyst

________- promotes a chemical reaction without itself being used up in the reaction.

Ozone Shield

________: a natural process that filters ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it reaches the lower atmosphere.

Ozone depletion

______ _________ has been cooling the troposphere.

Ozone Depleting Chemicals

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and hydrogen chloride

Chlorofluorocarbons

Ozone depleting chemicals comprised of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon.

Halons

Ozone depleting chemicals found in fire extinguishers

Methyl Bromide

An ozone depleting chemical that is also a fumigant

Carbon Tetrachloride

An ozone depleting chemical that is cheap, yet highly toxic

Methyl Chloroform

An ozone depleting chemical that is found in cleaning solvent for clothes and metals

Hydrogen Chloride

An ozone depleting chemical that is found in U.S. space shuttles

Montreal Protocol

A 1987 agreement to cut emission of CFCs by 35% by 2000

London and Copenhagen

1990 and 1992 agreements to accelerate the phase-out of other key ozone-depleting chemicals