CFCs deplete ozone
Chemicals linked to the loss of ozone.
A sharp fall
Scientists found that the amount of ozone in the atmosphere had been dropping sharply.
What has this fall been linked to?
What this lesson covers
The idea
The sharp decrease in the amount of ozone in the atmosphere has been linked to synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
A sharp fall
Scientists found that the amount of ozone in the atmosphere had been dropping sharply.
What has this fall been linked to?
- Synthetic chemicals called CFCs
- Too much oxygen in the air
- Cooler rain
The CFC story
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The link to CFCs
From the 1980s the amount of ozone dropped sharply. This decrease has been linked to synthetic chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers. In 1987 the UNEP agreed to freeze CFC production at 1986 levels.
The sharp decrease in the amount of ozone in the atmosphere has been linked to synthetic chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Notes
The loss of ozone has been linked to CFCs, used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers.
Check yourself
The sharp decrease in the amount of ozone has been linked to which chemicals?
When did the amount of ozone begin to drop sharply?
Where are CFCs used?
What did the UNEP agreement of 1987 do?
- Oxygen, O₂. O₂ is essential for aerobic life, and UV radiation acting on it forms ozone.
- Sugar and starch. Sugar and starch are the food made by producers. They are not linked to the decrease of ozone.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) — correct. Yes!
- In the 1980s — correct. Yes!
- In the 1950s. The book says that the amount of ozone began to drop sharply in the 1980s.
- In the 2000s. The book says that the amount began to drop sharply in the 1980s, and in 1987 an agreement on CFCs was reached.
- As fuel for cooking. The book says CFCs are used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers.
- As refrigerants and in fire extinguishers — correct. Yes!
- As food for plants. The book says CFCs are synthetic chemicals used as refrigerants and in fire extinguishers.
- It stopped the making of all refrigerators. Companies must make CFC-free refrigerators, so refrigerators are still made.
- It doubled the production of CFCs. The agreement froze CFC production at 1986 levels.
- It froze CFC production at 1986 levels — correct. Yes!