In: Biology
What are the main chemical compounds that destroy the ozone layer?
- Ozone layer consists of high concentration of Ozone molecules (O3) which absorbs the harmful UV rays coming from sun and preventing the earth from its harmful effects. Ozone is considered as one of the primary greenhouse gas which absords infrared light.
- Ozone depleting chemicals such as gases containing traces of nitogen, hydrogen, chlorine and bromine are the primary accelerators of ozone depletion. Over decades, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other halogenated ozone depleting substances (ODS) are mainly responsible for man-made chemical ozone depletion. ODS includes methylhalides, carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and halocarbons i.e. halons which contain bromine instead of chlorine.
- CFCs are primarily released into environment from CFC containing aerosols, refrigerators, and some kinds of foam. However, there are no natural sources of CFCs hence human kind can be blamed for the current consequences lead by CFC compacted environment and its effects.