Atmospheric Chemistry Assignment 1

Prepared for-
Prof. Shamik Chakraborty
Chem F430 – Atmospheric Chemistry

Prepared By-
Nikhil Agarwal (2020B2A71611P)
Taresh Bansal(2020B2A71945P)

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani

FEB 15, 2022
 Montreal Protocol – CFCs

Introduction
Molina and Rowland were the first ones to recognize CFCs as an agent that depleted
stratospheric ozone in 1974 and gave an early warning for it. The ozone hole was first
discovered over Antarctica in 1985. In 1987, a remarkable agreement was signed at the
Vienna Convention by 24 countries which now has over 200 signs and is known as Montreal
Protocol, which came into force in 1989. It was aimed at protecting the earth’s ozone layer by
eliminating the production and consumption of substances that deplete it, which includes
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs). According to the original protocol, it was required by the developed nations to begin
ruling out the use of CFCs by 1993 and bring it to 50% of it’s levels of 1986 by 1998. A
Multilateral fund (MLF) was established in 1991 to provide funds for the implementation of
the Montreal protocol to developing countries. 

Current status/Observation
In developed countries, consumption and the production of CFCs ended by 1996, which in
contrast was ruled out by developing countries by 2010. The ozone hole over Antarctica grew
in size in the 1990s and continued to happen in the first decade of the 21st Century. Thinning
of the ozone layer also happened over the Arctic but not as fast as over Antarctica. The
parties of the protocol meet every year for the successful implementation of the agreement
which also includes its amendments. The protocol has been amended six times. Scientists
believe that in spite of such damage to the ozone layer it will slowly recover and this has been
only possible due to the control of ozone depleting substances from going into the
atmosphere which shows the huge success of the protocol. In 2018, first signs of recovery of
the ozone layer were seen. The World Meteorological Organization and UNEP are not
expecting the ozone layer to reach the 1980s value till 2030s over the Arctic region and till
2060s over the Antarctica region.

Discussion
CFCs-Because of its unique mix of nonflammability and general inertness,
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have become widely employed in a range of applications
ranging from aerosols to refrigeration. However, CFCs' chemical stability, which makes them
generally safe and non-toxic, made them well-suited for these uses. However, these same
features constituted them a threat to Earth's life. Ozone-depleting chemicals (ODS).
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride, and
methyl chloroform are examples of ODS that emit chlorine.
When ODS are emitted at the Earth's surface, they are ultimately taken into the stratosphere,
which can take two to five years.
Once in the atmosphere, CFCs slowly migrate higher to the stratosphere, where they are
broken down by UV light, producing chlorine atoms capable of destroying ozone molecules.
Before it escapes from the stratosphere, a single chlorine atom damages about a lac ozone
molecule. The cause of Ozone depletion is that it is destroyed faster than it can be formed.
Since 1974, there has been speculation that CFCs may have an indirect impact on the
stratospheric 'ozone layer' due to their capacity to transfer halogens, notably chlorine, to this
altitude. By the mid-1980s, there was widespread agreement that atmospheric CFCs may
significantly contribute to ozone depletion, and a yearly weakening (a "hole") in the ozone
layer over the Antarctic was documented. Some of the atmospheric chemistry that is thought
to occur, as well as some of the measurements performed on the ozone layer, are discussed,
as are the environmental regulatory actions that have been implemented. This results in the
regulated quick phase out of a variety of industrial chemicals, including CFCs. CFCs are used
extensively in the pharmaceutical business as propellants in metered dosage inhalers (MDIs).
The hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs) HFA134a and HFA227, which have the requisite
characteristics but are not ozone-depleting, are offered as acceptable replacement molecules.
In 1987 Montreal Protocol was adopted to control the production and consumption of CFCs. 
Actions conducted under the Montreal Protocol have resulted in a decrease in the quantity of
regulated ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) in the atmosphere and the beginning of
stratospheric ozone recovery. Since the 2014 Assessment, the atmospheric abundances of
both total tropospheric chlorine and total tropospheric bromine from long-lived ODSs
restricted under the Montreal Protocol have continued to drop. The Antarctic ozone hole is
healing, yet it is still occurring every year.

Conclusion
CFCs are the major threat responsible for ozone depletion, and significant actions have been
taken to safeguard it across the world. The Montreal Protocol has prevented considerably
more severe ozone depletion in the polar areas. Since 2000, upper stratospheric ozone has
grown by 1–3 per cent every decade outside of the polar regions. There has been no apparent
trend in global total column ozone from 1997 to2016, with average readings in the years
following the previous Assessment being around 2% lower than the 1964–1980 average.
Several new treaties were also signed, like Kyoto Protocol and CAA(Clean Air Act was
passed in 1970 by U.S. federal law aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting the ozone
layer). Because of its broad acceptance and execution, the Montreal Protocol has been
acclaimed as an example of effective international cooperation, with Kofi Annan stating that
it is "probably the single most successful international treaty to date."

References

1. Velders, Guus JM, et al. "The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting
climate." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 104.12 (2007): 4814-
4819.
2. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Montreal Protocol". Encyclopedia
Britannica, 4 Feb. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/event/Montreal-Protocol.
Accessed 15 February 2022.
3. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). EPA. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from
https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science#:~:text=An
%20example%20is%20CFC%2D12,then%20react%20with%20ozone%20molecules. 
4. Chlorofluorocarbons and ozone depletion. American Chemical Society. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 15, 2022, from
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/cfcs-
ozone.html
5. Physics Today 67, 7, 42 (2014); https://doi.org/10.1063/PT.3.2449
6. Center for Science Education. The Ozone Layer | Center for Science Education.
(n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2022, from
https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/ozone-layer 
7. Velders, G. J. M., Andersen, S. O., Daniel, J. S., Fahey, D. W., & McFarland, M.
(2007, March 20). The importance of the Montreal Protocol in protecting climate.
PNAS. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from
https://www.pnas.org/content/104/12/4814 
8. American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks.