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0 CORE SECTION A GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 9 RECEIVED MAY 18 2015 STRATOSPHERIC OZONE DEPLETION Wgreatest TAL The introduction of CFC's and HCFC's has dramatically changed our lifestyles. Little did we kn��release of these compounds into the atmosphere would have far reaching effects on our environntent. Thenct�is in the stratosphere, far removed from the Earth's surface. The stratosphere is the Earth's security blanket. It is located between 10 and 30 miles above sea level and is comprised of, among other things. Ozone. An Ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms (03). Ozone protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation an'd helps maintain stable Earth temperatures. Stratospheric Ozone depletion is a global problem. Depletion of Ozone in the stratosphere causes: ♦ CROP LOSS ♦ INCREASE IN EYE DISEASES ♦ SKIN CANCER ♦ REDUCED MARINE LIFE ♦ DEFORESTATION ♦ INCREASED GROUND LEVEL OZONE CFC's have been found in air samples taken from the stratosphere. CFC's and HCFC's, when released into the atmosphere deplete the Ozone layer. The chlorine in these compounds is the culprit. When a chlorine atom meets with an Ozone molecule, it takes one Oxygen atom from the Ozone.This forms a compound called Chlorine Monoxide (CIO) and leaves an OZ molecule. The Chlorine Monoxide will collide with another Ozone molecule, release its Oxygen atom, forming two OZ molecules, and leave the chlorine free to attack another Ozone molecule. A single Chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 Ozone molecules. There has been a great deal of controversy over the subject of Ozone depletion. Some believe that the Chlorine found in the stratosphere comes from natural sources such as volcanic eruptions. However, air samples taken over erupting volcanoes show that volcanoes contribute only a small quantity of Chlorine as compared to CFCs. In addition, the rise in the amount of Chlorine measured in the stratosphere over the past two decades matches the rise in the amount of Fluorine, which has different natural sources than Chlorine, over the same period. Also, the rise in the amount of Chlorine measured in the stratosphere over the past twenty years, matches the rise in CFC emissions over the same period. Unlike other Chlorine compounds and naturally occurring chlorine, the chlorine in CFC's will neither dissolve in water nor break down into compounds that dissolve in water, so they do not rain out of the atmosphere. OZONE DEPLETION POTENTIAL Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) is a measurement of CFC's and HCFC's ability to destroy ozone. CFC's have the highest ODP. HFC's (R -134A) do not contain chlorine and have no Ozone Depletion Potential. Type Example Elements CFC R -I 1, 12, 500 Chlorine Fluorine Carbon HCFC R-22, 123 Hydrogen Chlorine Fluorine Carbon HFC R -134a Hydrogen Fluorine Carbon