And on the Eighth Day God Created Ozone

Imagine this scene: a patient fighting cancer, enduring every bit of pain, and clinging to any sign of hope. But in our case, the ozone layer is the patient, and the hole is the disease. Just as the danger on Man increases as the cancerous cells spread more and more, the ozone layer is threatened by the daily enlarging of its hole size, and is therefore portending life on earth. Impossible it is to just sit down and wait for a miraculous cure for our protective layer. Instead, we need to take severe measurements to inspire others to make a change. Earth is not a hopeless case; our unity can save it! But before all this, how did all this mess start?

Have you heard of Ozone? It is a simple molecule consisting of three Oxygen atoms bound together. It is not only a natural occurring gas but a component of smog created by the burning of fossil fuels. Ozone is one of the critical trace gases referred to as the greenhouse gases. Actually, this simple compound plays two important roles: in the lower atmosphere, it helps keep the Earth warm and in the upper atmosphere, it blocks 95 to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays that strike our planet. The atmosphere alone cannot stand as an obstacle in the face of UV rays, so here is where ozone interferes.

More than two decades ago, scientists jeered at the thought of the destruction of ozone due to the thought of ozone destruction by industrial chemicals. But now, it is known for a fact that chlorine is the major source that pinches the ozone, by eating up its molecules. After years of study on the ground and in satellites, the main source of chlorine was identified- human made chemicals called Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, mainly used in aerosol cans, foam packaging and refrigeration materials.

CFCs were invented about 6 decades ago as non-toxic substances used mainly in refrigerators. Over the years, these compounds have paved their path to commercial use and became a part of aerosol sprays and plastic manufacturing, until industries started using about million tons of CFCs yearly. Certainly, lack of equipment then kept scientists from discovering the destructive impacts CFCs had on the ozone.

But in 1970, British scientist James Lovelock’s unexpected detection of CFCs in air led to further studies. Lovelock’s discoveries interested atmospheric scientists F. Sherwood Rowland who joined Mario Moline, a colleague at the University of California, Irvine to solve this mysterious riddle. Both scientists showed that CFCs were invulnerable to visible sunlight, nearly insoluble in water, and resistant to oxidation in the atmosphere’s lower depths. Yet at altitudes above 18 miles, CFCs showed their vulnerability and ability to break down a huge number of ozone molecules. Further studies held by the two scientists proved their discovery. They expected long-term hazards to hit the Earth if no action was taken. So, they alerted countries by asking for the banning of CFC use. The United States, Canada, Norway and Sweden responded to their call in the late 1970s.

In 1978 and 1979, scientists detected less ozone in the southern atmosphere than before, and this decreased level of ozone continued its decline until it reached 35% less in 1984 than in the 1960s. After these results were confirmed, the term “Antarctic ozone hole” spread worldwide.

The scientists’ discoveries started to climb the mountain of evidence, when studies showed that atomic chlorine and chlorine oxide radicals were responsible for the loss of ozone over Antarctica, and when CFC levels increased tremendously in the lower atmosphere. So, the evidence was in their hands: CFCs and two other pollutants- the industrial solvents carbon tetrachloride and methylchloroform- were devouring ozone molecules, creating the gap in the layer.

After the catastrophe became a political, philosophical and scientific concern, more than 150 countries signed the Montreal protocol to reduce the release of CFCs in the atmosphere. In spite of this fact, ozone depletion will still be a natural disaster that we need to cope with. In the middle of the next century, Ozone is expected to go back to its levels in the 1970s.

Can you imagine what would have happened if these scientists weren’t interested in discovering something new? How would the world look like if we faced ozone depletion everywhere? How can we honor these scientists?

It was the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences that awarded them the Noble Prize in chemistry in 1995 … and they really deserve it.

From Gacia: