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Chlorofluoromethanes in the stratosphere and some possible consequences for ozoneInert chlorofluoromethanes are used by man as refrigerants and aerosol propellants. These substances eventually escape and diffuse upward into the stratosphere. At great enough heights, UV sunlight can photodissociate these chlorofluorocarbons into chlorine atoms which will catalytically destroy ozone molecules. Chlorofluoromethane production has been increasing steadily in recent years to its present level of about a megaton per year, and chlorofluorocarbon usage will probably continue to grow in the future. Calculations with a one-dimensional time-dependent atmospheric model suggests that, if projected increases in chlorofluoromethane use materialize and there is no tropospheric destruction mechanism for these gases, the total global abundance of ozone may be reduced by more than 20 per cent over the next 50 years. If the residence times for these fluorocarbons in the troposphere are in the range of 10-30 years, however, predicted ozone depletions would be significantly smaller.
Document ID
19760059558
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Turco, R. P.
(R & D Associates Santa Monica, Calif., United States)
Whitten, R. C.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1975
Publication Information
Publication: Atmospheric Environment
Volume: 9
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
76A42524
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-7410
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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