Ozone
Trivia
Can the ozone layer be saved?
Chlorofluorocarbons
or CFCs and bromide chemicals released to the atmosphere set off complex chain
reaction that leads to the destruction of ozone molecules. It rises into the
upper atmosphere when released. In the ozone layer, UV radiation striking
CFC molecules causes chloride atoms to break away and collide with ozone molecules.
Chlorine atom reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide, by stealing one
oxygen atom and releasing an oxygen molecule. When free oxygen atoms collide
with the chlorine monoxide, chlorine is released as the two oxygen atoms combine
to form an oxygen molecule. The process thus sets into results in the destruction
of more ozone. One chlorine atom can destroy up to a hundred thousand ozone
molecules.
YES!
By phasing the use of CFCs, Halon, and other ODS, the ozone layer can be saved.
Stratospheric ozone are created and destroyed in a natural cycle. This balance
has been maintained for millions of years and was disturbed by the release
of ODS in the atmosphere beginning 1930s.
It is important to know that once ODS are phased out, the ozone layer will
slowly repair itself.
What
is being done to save the ozone layer?
The alarming rate
of ozone depletion has led developed and developing countries to draw up an
agreement known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer on September 16, 1987. As of 2004, this agreement binds 186 signatory
countries to take immediate steps towards ODS phaseout.
| NAME
OF ODS |
BASE
LEVEL |
1999 |
2002 |
2003 |
2005 |
2007 |
2010 |
2016 |
2040 |
| CFC
(Annex A) |
1995-1997 |
freeze |
|
|
50% |
85% |
100% |
|
|
| CFC
(Annex B) |
1998-2000 |
|
|
20% |
|
85% |
100% |
|
|
| Halons |
1995-1997 |
|
freeze |
|
|
|
100% |
|
|
| Methyl
Bromide |
1995-2000 |
|
freeze |
|
20% |
|
|
100% |
|
| Methyl
Chloroform |
1998-2000 |
|
|
|
30% |
|
|
100% |
|
| Carbon
Tetrachloride (CTC) |
1998-2000 |
|
|
|
85% |
|
100% |
|
|
| HCFC's |
2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
freeze |
100% |
How
do Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) destroy the ozone molecules?
"PHILIPPINES
AND OTHER DEVELOPING COUTRIES'
MAIN OBLIGATION TO THE MOTREAL PROTOCOL IS TO PHASE OUT ODS FOLLOWING AN AGREED
SCHEDULE"
