Factors affecting Chapman Cycle

Factors that imbalance the Chapman cycle can lead to ozone depletion such as:

1. The Release of Free Radicals

As ozone and free oxygen atoms are highly unstable, they react very easily with nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine and bromine compounds which  are found naturally in Earth’s atmosphere.

2. The uses of Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

ODS are very stable, nontoxic and environmentally safe in the lower atmosphere. However, their very stability allows them to float up, intact, to the stratosphere. Chlorofluorocarbon, Methyl Chloroform, Halons, Carbon Tetrachloride and hydrofluorocarbon are common OCD.

Molecules that are no longer shielded from ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layer will break up and release chlorine atoms which reacts with the ozone.

3. Natural influences on Stratospheric Ozone

Sunspots, Stratospheric winds and Volcanic Eruptions are Natural variations which influence the amount of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

The effect caused by solar activity and Atmospheric Winds does not have a large impact. Large eruptions can potentially inject significant quantities of chlorine. Majority of volcanic eruptions are too weak to reach the stratosphere remains in the troposphere where it is quickly dissolved and washed out by rain.

 

Resources:

Brian Dunbar, Shelley Canright (2009) ‘Ozone: What is it, and why do we care about it?’ Retrieved on 15 March, 2015 from  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/postsecondary/features/F_Ozone_prt.htm

Caroline Tran, Dan Chong , Anne Keith, Jordan Shively (n.d.) ‘Depletion of the Ozone Layer’ Retrieved on 15 March, 2015 from   http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Kinetics/Case_Studies%3A_Kinetics/Depletion_of_the_Ozone_Layer

Unknown (n.d.) ‘Ozone Depletion’ Retrieved on 15 March, 2015 from http://www.ozone-hole.org.uk/09.php