What pollutants damage the ozone layer?

What pollutants damage the ozone layer?

• A. CFCs
• B. Waterfall
• C. Litter
• D. Tidal Power

Answer: (A)

Ozone layer damage mainly comes from certain human-made chemicals that release reactive halogen atoms in the upper atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons reach the stratosphere largely intact because they’re very stable in the lower atmosphere. When they’re hit by UV radiation, they break apart and release chlorine atoms. Those chlorine atoms act as catalysts to repeatedly destroy ozone (O3) molecules: one chlorine atom can participate in many cycles, turning O3 into O2 and thereby thinning the ozone layer. That’s why CFCs are singled out as ozone-depleting substances, and why international agreements aim to phase them out and replace them with safer alternatives. The other options don’t have this effect. A waterfall is a natural feature and not a source of ozone-depleting chemicals; litter is pollution, but it doesn’t release halogen atoms that destroy ozone; tidal power is a renewable energy technology and does not contribute to ozone layer depletion.

Ozone layer damage mainly comes from certain human-made chemicals that release reactive halogen atoms in the upper atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons reach the stratosphere largely intact because they’re very stable in the lower atmosphere. When they’re hit by UV radiation, they break apart and release chlorine atoms. Those chlorine atoms act as catalysts to repeatedly destroy ozone (O3) molecules: one chlorine atom can participate in many cycles, turning O3 into O2 and thereby thinning the ozone layer. That’s why CFCs are singled out as ozone-depleting substances, and why international agreements aim to phase them out and replace them with safer alternatives.

The other options don’t have this effect. A waterfall is a natural feature and not a source of ozone-depleting chemicals; litter is pollution, but it doesn’t release halogen atoms that destroy ozone; tidal power is a renewable energy technology and does not contribute to ozone layer depletion.