Global Change: Ozone Depletion

Environmental Sustainability Educational Resources prepared by Gregory A. Keoleian

Associate Research Scientist, School of Natural Resources and Environment Co-Director, Center for Sustainable Systems University of Michigan
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Contents
Ozone Depletion Process Ozone Hole Ozone Hole Ozone Depleting Substances Ozone Depleting Substances Ozone Depleting Substances Ozone Depletion Potential Ozone Depletion Potential Impacts [slide 4] [slide 5] [slide 6] [slide 7] [slide 8] [slide 9] [slide 10] [slide 11] [slide 12]

 Montreal Protocol Additional Resources

[slide 13] [slide 14]

Ozone Depleting Substances

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
contains: Cl, F, C long-lived, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and nonflammable in 1960s used in refrigerators, air conditioners, spray cans, solvents, foams phase out by 1996 in developed countries

 Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
contains: H, Cl, F, C first major replacement for CFC
ODPs range from 0.01 - 0.1

much less destructive by also ozone depleting reduce HCFCs by 35% by 2004 in developed countries

Hydrofuluorocarbons (HFC)
contain: H, F, C do not deplete O3 some HFCs have a high GWP
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 Halons
contain: Br, Cl (in some but not all), F, H (in some but not all), C Br many times more effective in destroying O3
ODPs range up to 10

used in fire extinguishers phase out by 1994

Methyl Bromide (CH3Br)

an effective pesticide, used to fumigate ag soil and products ODP = 0.4 production in US will end 12/31/2000
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Ozone Depletion Potential

Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): a number that refers to the amount of ozone depletion caused by a substance The ODP is the ratio of the impact on ozone of a chemical compared to the impact of a similar mass of CFC-11.

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Ozone Depletion Potential

ODP of CFC-11 is defined to be 1.0. Other CFCs and HCFCs have ODPs that range from 0.01 to 1.0. Halons have ODPs ranging up to 10. Carbon tetrachloride has an ODP of 1.2 Methyl chloroform's ODP is 0.11. HFCs have zero ODP because they do not contain chlorine.
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Impacts
Ozone layer absorbs most of the harmful UV-B radiation; more UV-B means:
more melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers more eye cataracts weakened immune systems reduced plant yields damage to ocean eco-ecosystems more damage to plastics
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Montreal Protocol
Vienna Convention in 1985
framework agreement

Montreal Protocol in 1987

Phase-out schedules for CFCs and halons

London Amendment in 1990

accelerated phase outs; additional CFCs, CCl4, CH3CCl3

Copenhagen Amendment in 1992

added methyl bromide, HBFCs, HCFCs

Montreal Amendment in 1997

finalized phase-out schedules for methyl bromide
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Additional Resources
US EPA
web site: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/

NASA
web site: http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/ Resources/TeacherWork/Ozone/Ozone.homep age.html

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