Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

Stratospheric sink for chlorofluoromethanes: chlorine atom-catalysed destruction of ozone

Abstract

Chlorofluoromethanes are being added to the environment in steadily increasing amounts. These compounds are chemically inert and may remain in the atmosphere for 40–150 years, and concentrations can be expected to reach 10 to 30 times present levels. Photodissociation of the Chlorofluoromethanes in the stratosphere produces significant amounts of chlorine atoms, and leads to the destruction of atmospheric ozone.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Chemical Marketing Reporter, August 21, 1972.

  2. Chemistry in the Economy (American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1973).

  3. Lovelock, J. E., Maggs, R. J., and Wade, R. J., Nature, 241, 194 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wilkniss, P. E., Lamontagne, R. A., Larson, R. E., Swinnerton, J. W., Dickson, C. R., and Thompson, T., Nature, 245, 45 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Su, C.-W., and Goldberg, E. D., Nature, 245, 27 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Machta, L., Proceedings of the Second IUTAM-IUGG Symposium on Turbulent Diffusion in Environmental Pollution (Charlottesville, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Crutzen, P. J., J. geophys. Res., 30, 7311 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Johnston, H., Science, 173, 517 (1971).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Johnston, H. S., Proceedings of the First Survey Conference, Climatic Impact Assessment Program, US Department of Transport, 90 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  10. McElroy, M. B., Wofsy, S. C., Penner, J. E., and McConnell, J. C., J. atmos. Sci., 31, 287 (1974).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bemand, P. P., Clyne, M. A. A., and Watson, R. J., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday I, 69, 1356 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hampson, R., et al., Chemical Kinetics Data Survey VI, National Bureau of Standard Interim Report 73–207 (1973).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  13. Stolarski, R. S., and Cicerone, R. J., International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (Kyoto, Japan, 1973); see also Can. J. Chem., (in the press).

  14. Doucet, J., Sauvageau, P., and Sandorfy, C., J. chem. Phys., 58, 3708 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. McConnell, J. C., and McElroy, M. B., J. atmos. Sci., 30, 1465 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sch¨tz, K., Junge, C., Beck, R., and Albrecht, B., J. geophys. Res., 75, 2230 (1970).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wofsy, S. C., McConnell, J. C., and McElroy, M. B., J. geophys. Res., 77, 4477 (1972).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wofsy, S. C., and McElroy, M. B., J. geophys. Res., 78, 2619 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kockarts, G., in Mesospheric Models and Related Experiments (edit. by Fiocco, G.), 168, Reidel, Dodrrecht (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Brinkmann, R., ibid., 89.

  21. Hudson, R. D., and Mahle, S. H., J. geophys. Res., 11, 2902 (1972).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Clyne, M. A. A., and Walker, R. F., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday I, 69, 1547 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Takacs, G. A., and Glass, G. P., J. phys. Chem., 77, 1948 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Marsh, D., and Heicklen, J., J. phys. Chem., 69, 4410 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Heicklen, J., Adv. Photochem., 7, 57 (1969).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Homann, K. H., Solomon, W. C., Warnatz, J., Wagner, H. G., and Zetzch, C., Ber. Bunsenges. phys. Chem., 74, 585 (1970).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Murray, A. J., and Riley, J. P., Nature, 242, 37 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Levy, H., Planet. Space Sci., 20, 919 (1972); 21, 575 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Stoiber, R. E., Leggett, D. C., Jenkins, T. F., Murrmann, R. P., and Rose, W. J., Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 82, 2299 (1971).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Hudlicky, M., Chemistry of Organic Fluorine Compounds, 340 (MacMillan, New York, 1962).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Lovelock, J. E., Nature, 230, 379 (1971).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Molina, M., Rowland, F. Stratospheric sink for chlorofluoromethanes: chlorine atom-catalysed destruction of ozone. Nature 249, 810–812 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/249810a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/249810a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing