Stratospheric Ozone and Oil Sands

Interaction of stratospheric ozone and UV

UVB/UVC will interact with an ozone molecule. The ozone absorbs the UVB/UVC and enough energy is present that the molecule decomposes into a diatomic oxygen (O2) and a monatomic oxygen (O). The diatomic and monatomic oxygen then interact to form ozone. This reaction is in equilibrium

CFCs interact with ozone

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) also interact with UV once they reach the stratosphere. The CFC (CCl2F2) decomposes to form a single chlorine atom (Cl) and the remaining CFC molecule (CClF2)

Montreal Protocol

This is the most successful piece of international legislation ever to be signed. It was universally ratified by all members of the United Nations - 197 countries. It discussed a plan that would be put in place for all countries to phase out the use of chemicals containing CFCs and other halocarbons.

interaction of stratospheric ozone and UV (equation)

O3 in the presence of UVC/UVB ⇄ O2 + O (equilibrium)

Oil Sands

A mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen (hydrocarbon). Bitumen is extracted and then processed to produce gasoline and other products.

process used to separate usable material in oil sands

The deposit is mined using strip mining/open pit mining methods. The mixture is then separated using physical properties of the material to separate the bitumen from the clay/sand. The bitumen is then sent to a processing facility to produce gasoline/lighter petroleum products.

largest deposits of oil sands

Alberta, Canada and Venezuela

Oil sands advantages

Large supply, keeps cost of oil down, job creation

Oil sands disadvantages

Large amount of GHGs emitted, large amount of water used and polluted, habitat destruction

Oil sands human health effect

see increase rate of cancer in residents near sites, respiratory irritation