Apes Unit 8 Ozone the Hole Story notes

What chemicals deplete ozone in the stratosphere?

-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

-halons

-hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

-methyl bromide

-carbon tetrachloride

What are/were major sources of CFCs?

refrigeration systems, air conditioners, aerosol sprays, foam blowing agents, and solvents used in various industrial processes

What from the CFCs reacts with the ozone?

chlorine atoms, which then react with ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion

When and why does the ozone hole form over Antarctica?

forms over Antarctica each year in late winter/early spring (roughly September-November) due to unique meteorological and chemical conditions, including the presence of polar stratospheric clouds and the isolation of air within the polar vortex

How long does it take for a CFC to get to the stratosphere?

2-5 years according to the EPA