Ozone layer depleting chemicals have reached a record high in the atmosphere. Despite its global ban placed in the 2010 Montreal protocol, it is still in the use, but from where it is released the source is unknown.
Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main ozone layer depleting chemicals.
This is not for today but in the future, it will be an alarming concern.
What is Montreal Protocol That Banned the Ozone Layer Depleting Chemicals
Montreal Protocol logo
The 1987 Montreal Protocol was signed unanimously, which put restrictions on banned chemicals such as Chloroflouro Carbons or CFCs
The CFCs are used in applications including refrigeration, air conditioning, or chemical solvents. They have been increasingly regulated by a series of international treaties since the 1980s.
The main objective of the Montreal Protocol was to decline the atmospheric concentration of the CFCs and restrict the production of these chemicals.
The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere and absorbs the UV radiation below.
In 2010 these chemicals were completely banned by Montreal treaties.
Global Analysis of Ozone Layer Depleting Chemicals
After scientists found the ozone layer depleting chemicals are rising mysteriously in the atmosphere, they began their analysis and research.
They have been analyzing air samples from all over the world. Five Chloro fluoro carbons CFCs- 112a, CFC-13, CFC-113a, CFC-114a, and CFC-115 are leaking into the atmosphere.
Scientists analyze air samples from all over the world. Even they are focusing on the background sites that are far away from the CFCs or in fact any industrial emissions.
For example Cape Grim observatory on the remote west coast of Tasmania. This is a basic assessment of the threat these chemicals pose, as it reveals global trends in their atmospheric concentrations.
There are two findings scientists observed are -:
First, the rising concentration of CFC-13 and CFC-113 accelerated around 2016.
Second, those of CFC-114a, CFC-115, and CFC-112a, whose levels decreased in the past, suddenly all of them started to increase around 2013-2014.
Global emissions of the five CFCs weighted by their impact on ozone depletion (a) and the climate (b). (Western et al., Nature Geoscience, 2023)
Although CFC-11 which is completely banned poses a potential threat to the atmosphere and is more hazardous in comparison to other CFCs.
The researchers found the results such a relief. Their emission between 2010 and 2020 caused only 0.002 percent of ozone depletion.
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These Five CFCs Still Pose a Risk to the Atmosphere
All five CFCs are potent greenhouse gases. If their rise continues to increase in near future it’ll cause a hazardous impact on the atmosphere.
These ozone layer depleting chemicals warming effects are a threat to the ozone layer.
What Exactly is the Main Source of CFCs Emission?
The ozone layer depleting chemicals rate is increasing in the atmosphere. But scientists are unable to find the exact source from where these chemicals are released.
The scientists found one source -:
Hydrofluorocarbons or HFCs are an alternative to CFCs, which are ozone-friendly.
HFCs production begin when CFCs were banned under the Montreal Protocol.
The three CFCs CFCs-113a, CFCs-114a, and CFCa-115 are used as chemicals or feedstock to be used during the production of HFCs chemicals.
These three Chloroflouro carbons were released or leaked out during the production of HFCs. In the future, HFCs production will increase, which would further increase the emission of these CFCs into the atmosphere.
Although these CFCs production is being reduced in many countries under the 2016 Kigali Amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
Scientists are unable to track the exact cause of the emissions of these five CFCs. The ozone layer provides protection to all of us against UV rays.
The fact that these Ozone layer depleting chemicals such as CFCs are rising in the atmosphere is a great concern for scientists and global leaders.
Now it is the time that all world leaders and atmospheric scientists take a stand and again visit the Montreal Protocol and take strict measures against the use of these CFCs.
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