Effects of Cosmic Rays on Atmospheric Chlorofluorocarbon Dissociation and Ozone Depletion

Journal Article · Mon Aug 13 00:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.078501· OSTI ID:40230963

Lu, Q -B; Sanche, L

Data from satellite, balloon, and ground-station measurements show that ozone loss is strongly correlated with cosmic-ray ionization-rate variations with altitude, latitude, and time. Moreover, our laboratory data indicate that the dissociation induced by cosmic rays for CF{sub 2}Cl {sub 2} and CFCl{sub 3} on ice surfaces in the polar stratosphere at an altitude of {approx}15 km is quite efficient, with estimated rates of 4.3 x 10{sup -5} and 3.6 x 10{sup -4} s{sup -1}, respectively. These findings suggest that dissociation of chlorofluorocarbons by capture of electrons produced by cosmic rays and localized in polar stratospheric cloud ice may play a significant role in causing the ozone hole.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40230963
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 87, Issue 7; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.078501; Othernumber: PRLTAO000087000007078501000001; 049133PRL; PBD: 13 Aug 2001; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALTITUDE
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
CLOUDS
DISSOCIATION
ELECTRONS
OZONE
STRATOSPHERE