Tag: ozone layer

Banned since 2010, CFCs have surprisingly and rapidly increased in the Earth’s atmosphere this last decade. CFCs have an atmospheric lifetime of 52 to 640 years and act as powerful greenhouse gases that also destroy the ozone layer. According to a recent study published in Nature Geoscience, the emissions of CFC-112a, CFC-13, CFC-113a, CFC-114a, and Continue reading CFCs on the rise again

Australian federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has announced a new bill intended to introduce “stronger measures to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and continue to play its part in helping heal the world’s ozone layer”. In addition to ozone-depleting substances, the legislation also manages synthetic greenhouse gases such as HFCs like Continue reading Ozone laws updated as report finds ‘Black Summer’ bushfires damaged the ozone layer

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) predict that the global ocean could become a measurable source of ozone-depleting CFC-11 in the future. Commonly used as a refrigerant, propellant and foam blowing agent, CFC-12 was phased out in 2010 – although there has been some illegal use since. Nevertheless, atmospheric levels of CFC-11 are Continue reading Warming oceans could start emitting absorbed CFCs

MARIO Molina, a scientist highly regarded for his work on environmental problems and solutions, died on 7 October at the age of 77. Dr Molina was known by many for his work on a research paper, produced in 1974 in collaboration with US scientist Frank Sherwood Rowland, which revealed how decomposing CFCs would destroy the Continue reading Lifetime achievements of ‘ozone layer saviour’ Mario Molina celebrated

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that ozone layer depletion reached record levels over large parts of the Arctic in spring. Monitored ozone levels over the Arctic in March are typically at least 240 Dobson Units (DU) – with a DU representing a 0.01mm-thick layer of pure ozone at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Continue reading Extreme weather, CFC damage result in record Arctic ozone depletion

The surge in illegal CFC-11 production and use in China will, according to a recently published athe recovery of the ozone layer. The paper, titled Delay in recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole from unexpected CFC-11 emissions, suggests that the emissions could add two years to the recovery of the ozone layer – if, that Continue reading Ozone under threat from CFC-11