CFC and Ozone Destructuion

CFC s were commonly used as refrgerents and as propellant in spry cans.when these compounds escape into the atmosphere,it reaches the stratosphere intact as they are basically inert compounds.In the stratosphere,the CFC s are broken down by the sunlight releasing chlorine atoms.These chlorine atoms act as a catalyst in the destruction of o3 as shown.The plausible catalytic reactions leading to the destruction of ozone involves chlorine (cl) and (clo) as an intermediatary.

Formation of ozone

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when ultra violet radiation from the sun strikes the stratosphere,splitting oxygen molecules(02) in to atomic oxygen (o).The atomic oxygen quickly combines with further oxygen molecules to form ozone.

At Ground Level,ozone is a health hazard and is a major constituent of photochemical smog.However,in the stratosphere we need ozone to absorb some of the potentially harmful ultra-violet(UV) radiation from the sun (at wavelength between 240 and 320 nm) which can cause skin cancer and damage vegetation.

Ozone Layer

Ozone (o3) occurs naturally in the atmosphere.The earth's atmosphere is composed of several layers.We live in the Troposphere where most of the weather occurs;such as rain,snow and clouds.Above the troposphere is the Stratosphere;an important region in which effects such as the ozone Hole and Global warming orginate.