Brief summary of Chloroflurocarbons ( CFCs) man made compounds that contain chlorine, fluorine, carbon and no hydrogen were

produced in order to replace ammonia( toxic, smelly) used in refrigeration as their properties - odourless, non toxic, non flammable, very inert, high boiling point and ideal pressure - made them suitable as working fluids used in aerosol spray cans, foaming agents ( in production of foam plastics such as polystyrene), as a solvent, cleaning agent for circuit boards and air conditioning these applications resulted in direct release into the atmosphere - remaining in the troposphere for long periods of time ( since it is very inert, insoluble in water) where air convection spreads them throughout before diffusing through the troposphere and into the stratosphere where they become problematic

Present information from secondary sources to write the equations to show the reactions involving CFCs and ozone to demonstrate the removal of ozone from the atmosphere CFCs they are very inert, thus are not destroyed at low altitudes by sunlight and oxygen as well as they are also insoluble in water so they are not washed out of the atmosphere by rain leading it to remain in the troposphere for long periods of time, diffusing into the stratosphere in the stratosphere before ozone filters out the short wavelength UV radiation, the ultra violet rays break a chlorine atom off the CFC molecule

the chlorine atom than abstracts an oxygen atom from the ozone molecule to create a CLO free radical which is very reactive

in the stratosphere, there is continual formation and destruction of ozone which results in the presence of free oxygen atoms, 02 and 03 molecules CLO reacts with the free oxygen radicals to form 02 regenerating the chlorine radical

the overall result is the reaction between ozone molecule and oxygen atom to produce two 02 molecules where the highly reactive chlorine atom is not used up so it is able to continually react and destroy other ozone molecules - leading a chain reaction

this chain reaction is continuous as the chlorine reactive species, as it is regenerated continues to break down the ozone molecules A small number of CFCs molecules has a significant impact in destroying large amounts of ozone as they repeat the reaction indefinitely

Reaction in the troposphere which removes the chain carriers ( Cl atom, CLO radicals) reaction between the reactive chlorine atom and methane molecule effectively removes the chlorine atom preventing them from continuing the chain reaction methane is present in the stratosphere as they diffuse up from the troposphere neither of the products produced have an effect on the ozone as the reactive chlorine atoms are converted into unreactive HCL and the CH3 radicals undergo further reactions without affecting the ozone

the CLO species is also able to continue the chain reaction, but it is removed when it reacts with nitrogen dioxide molecules present in the statosphere

only small amounts of NO2 are present and when it reacts with CLO, CLONO2 (chlorine nitrate) is formed - chlorine atoms cannot be regenerated from this molecule which effectively presents the chain reaction from continuing

Chain carriers regenerated it is localised and seasonal e.g. in spring over Antarctica, due to favourable cold conditions which produces solid particles that can catalyse reactions that produce chlorine molecules which are harmless until they are broken down by sunlight into chlorine atoms in winter, continuous darkness and coldness in the stratosphere above the Antarctic produce solid particles that catalyse the reaction

in early spring, the sunlight splits the chlorine molecules into two separate chlorine atoms which can start the chain reaction, destroying the ozone in the same way CFCs do as well

Present information from secondary sources to identify alternative chemicals used to replace CFcs and evaluate the effectiveness of their use as a replacement for CFCs Ammonia HCFCs HFCs hydroflurocarbons - carbon, hydrogen, fluorine ( no bromine or chlorine) consists of reactive C-H bonds so they degrade in troposphere - does not have chlorine or bromine atoms so they cannot form reactive radicals they have no ozone depleting potential so are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning applications effectiveness: very good alternative as they do not destroy ozone, however not as an effective refrigerants compared to CFCs and they are slightly more expensive to produce, strong greenhouse gases-> further research required to devise new technologies contains C-H bonds which are susceptible to attack by reactive radicals in the tropospherethey decompose rapidly to a large extent so only a small amount reaches the stratosphere they have replaced CFCs in household refrigeration, as propellant in spray cans, industrial solvent sand foaming agent effectiveness: small amounts of HCFCs reach the stratosphere where they can destroy ozone ( 10% of ozone depleting capacity for CFCs) only considered a temporary solution major contributor to the greenhouse effect so they must be phased out by 2030 industrial refrigeration has reverted back to using ammonia as a refrigerant- based before CFC discovery great caution must be taken with ammonia as it is dangerous anhydrofulrd toxic

Discuss the problems associated with the use of CFCs and assess the effectiveness of steps taken to alleviate these problems Although CFCs have highly useful properties and therefore uses, itse uses has led to extensive and long lasting damage destruction of stratospheric ozone - CFCs remain in troposphere for a long period of time and diffuses into stratosphere where they destroy ozone molecules -> this leads to ozone depletion which compromises its role in preventing harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth's surface destruction of ozone is catalysed by atomic halogens released from the CFCs and halons Harmful UVB wavelengths of the UV radiation ( which is normally absorbed by the ozone) pass through the Earths stratosphere as a result of the ozone hole - this leads to biological effects including increased incidence of skin cancer, cataracts, lowering of immune responses

plant damage and reduced growth as UV interferes with the process of photosynthesis reduced plankton populations in oceans increased damage ( increase in brittleness, surface powder formation) to synthetic materials- polymers such as PVC increased surfaces UV radiation absorption leads to increased troposphere ozone which is a health risk - ozone is toxic as it is a strong oxidant, it is an air pollutant that can burn sensitive plants and harm respiratory systems of animals

CFCs are also greenhouse gases which contribute to the enhancement of greenhouse effectchanging the balance of gases and increasing its concentration in the atmosphere the increases in volume of these greenhouse gases trap increased amounts of radiated energy ( 13000 to 20000 times that of one molecule of C02) from the sun leading to global warming and weather extremes global temperatures effectively rise, accompanied with rising seal levels and changes in precipitation - impact on human food production and other activities such as coastal floorings and severe droughts become more frequent the extent to which the changes in atmosphere conditions contribute to climate change is questioned - debate arises as to whether effects of global warming are actually occurring

Steps taken to alleviate the problem Assess for effectiveness For - stopping the release of CFCs into the atmosphere by phasing out its uses -> - once released they cannot be removed since 1987, many international from the atmosphere nor be agreements have been undertaken e.g. decomposed or washed out so it is Montreal protocol - original agreement effective to cease its production most recent agreement in 1992: - significant progression in reduction of - to stop the uses of halons by emissions of CFCs is visible as many 1994 countries are meeting the required - cease production and use of targets CFCs and 1,1,1- trichloroethane Against by 1996 - repairing the damage to the ozone layer - phasing out HCFCs by early 21st is quite slow under current restrictions century it will take about 50-100 years so no - provide less developed dramatic effect has yet been seen but countries time to adapt and the ozone hold has not increased nor money to help stop CFCs use deepened- effective - significant levels of CFCs remain in the atmosphere- current technology is limited as there is no way of removing them For - using alternatives rather than CFCs e.g. HCFCs- hydroflurocarbons ( contains H< - lower ozone dfestroying capacity than C, F and no CL) CFCs as they are decomposed at the surface rather than when it reaches the - contains C-H bonds instead of C-CL troposhpere bonds which are susceptible to reactive

radical attack from the troposphere_ most are destroyed before they can reach the stratosphere most widely used HFC-13a ( R134a)refrigeration, air conditioning, more expensive less efficient

it is considered of significant effect as its replacement, regardless, of its less efficient nature and greater expense, has become of wide use - allowing countries to met the target amount

Against - C-H bonds still undergo some decomposition in the troposphere but to a lesser extent than C-CL bonds in CFCs as they do not have C-CL bondsdestruction of ozone still continues - not as effective as CFCs themselves so future technological development can help finer better replacements

Bibliography http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/indicat/index.html Conquering Chemistry Smith R 2001 Third edition, Mcgraw Hill AUstralia, Roseville NSW Australia Chemistry 2 HSC course Thicket G 2006 John Wiley& Sons Australia, Milton Queensland Australia