The accepted concensus of scientific opinion is that it takes 15 years for ozone depleting substances to reach the stratosphere and they remain there for an average of 100 years. If that was the case, wouldn't we expect ozone depletion to continue for 115 years after phasing out of CFC's?
The accepted scientific consensus now is that the ozone layer is recovering now and has been for some time.
Was the accepted scientific model of ozone depletion used to justify phasing out of ozone depleting substances completely innacurate?
2007-10-13 23:16:04 · 13 answers · asked by Ben O 6 in Environment ➔ Global Warming
Ben,
You have the right of it. The models used to claim ozone depletion have proven false.
Like overpopulation and starvation scare of the 60's, coming ice age of the 70's, ozone was the bogeyman of the 80's. Today our scarecrow is global warming.
Ask: "Who gains when we believe this?" Fairly important question.
2007-10-14 00:53:08 · answer #1 · answered by Old Wolf 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The ozone depleting chemicals / substances / gases (ODC's / ODS's / ODG's) such as the methylhalides, halons, chlorofluorocarbons etc have varying atmospheric residency periods (lifespans) ranging from just a few days up to 31,500 years for sodium hexaflouride. Many undergo quite rapid chemical reactions - solar radiation (heat from the sun) breaks the chemical bonds releasing bromine, chlorine, flourine which react with the ozone molecules and contribute to the depletion of the 'ozone layer'.
The average residency period is about 55 years during which time their effectiveness as an ODC decreases. The natural production of ozone, over time, is more or less constant and so there comes a point where the production of new ozone exceeds the destruction of old ozone.
Currently we're at a point where production is begining to exceed depletion and the 'ozone hole' is begining to repair itself. The damage being caused by ODC's will continue long into the future but by progressively diminishing amounts.
Rather than going against the accepted scientific models of ozone depeltion, what we're observing is confirmation that the scientists were correct in their predictions.
2007-10-14 08:31:06 · answer #2 · answered by Trevor 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't know what the source of your information is but the parameter you use do not seem scientific. The concentration of ozone depleting substance substances will build up slowly over time, are you talking about the time for an equilibrium to be reached, if so a great deal of ozone depleting substance will reach the ozone layer in less than 15 years. If they remain there for an average of 100 years one would expect a lot to last less than 100 years and a decay in levels to start to occur immediately the input to the ozone layer started to decline.
2007-10-14 06:31:02 · answer #3 · answered by Robert A 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Those substances might be around for 100 years but their concentration is decreasing.
They don't all stay around and then all dissapear at once.
As their concentration goes down, their effect on destroying ozone weakens and the natural production of ozone becomes stronger than the depletion.
2007-10-14 07:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by mgerben 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ozone depletion is due to the electronics goods like refrigerates ,helicopters,ac,coolers etc the CF C's are released so it causes ozone depletion .Due to this the UV rays are effecting the earth.
2007-10-14 06:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by Jyotirmayi P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is not the correct interpretation of the model.
actually, the levels of CFC in the atmosphere are going down slowly, at the rate of reduction is different for different CFC.
but the reduction in CFC levels, even a small one, allows for the amount of Ozone in the atmosphere to reach higher levels, and that increase is enough to show a change in the Ozone layer.
2007-10-14 10:20:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There used to be a harsh dangerous chemical used in aerosol cans such as deoderant and air fresheners that damaged the ozone layer, since they have been banned the ozone seems to be healing. I think that using non spray deoderant and flowers and natural sents will cut down hugely on the amount of toxic chemicals getting dispersed into the air.
2007-10-14 06:25:02 · answer #7 · answered by ♪ Rachel ♫ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The ozone layer is recovering because the damage was caused by the volcanic eruptions of Agung, EL-Chichon and Mt. Pinatubo, and we have not had any major volcanic eruptions since 1992.
2007-10-14 09:05:36 · answer #8 · answered by Tomcat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think the ozone layer didn't really recover
2007-10-14 06:24:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh well good news just can't be happening, the eco wacko's will not let it. Ok somebody holler redneck, heretic now. Tell him how you went to HAAAWVard and got educated
2007-10-14 07:27:48 · answer #10 · answered by vladoviking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋