Question

3. In the mid 1970s, Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina predicted a thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer over Antarctica. The thinning was confirmed in the late twentieth century and has continued into the twenty-first century. (a) Identify the class of chemical compounds that is primarily responsible for the thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer and describe TWO major uses for which these chemicals were manufactured. (b) Describe how the chemical compounds that you identified in part (a) destroy stratospheric ozone molecules. You may include chemical equations as part of your answer. (c) Identify the major environmental consequence of the depletion of stratospheric ozone and describe TWO effects on ecosystems and/or human health that can result. (d) Ozone formed at ground level is a harmful pollutant. Describe TWO effects that ground-level ozone can have on ecosystems and/or human health.

Answer 1

Chlorofluorocarbon.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chlorofluorocarbon is the chemical compound that is responsible for the thinning of ozone layer present in the stratosphere. This Chlorofluorocarbon is used in the refrigerators and aerosol sprays. The major environmental consequence of the depletion of stratospheric ozone is the melting of glaciers in the Antarctica. It also has adverse effect on humans because it is responsible for the skin cancer disease in humans. Breathing ground-level ozone can trigger a variety of health problems such as chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion.