Sponsor
Portions of this work were supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (OPP 87-17023 and GEO 96- 96080) and the Department of Energy (DE-FG06-84ER60313). Support for the data analysis was provided by the Chemical Manufacturer's Association through the Chlorine Chemical Council and from the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) through Euro Chlor. Additional support was provided by the Andarz Co.
Published In
Antarctic Journal of the United States
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1999
Subjects
Chlorine compounds -- Antarctica -- Measurement, Chlorine -- Environmental aspects, Ozone layer depletion -- Antarctica
Abstract
In recent years, there has been considerable interest in chlorine-containing trace gases in the atmosphere, particularly in Antarctica because of the relationship between chlorofluorocarbons and the antarctic ozone hole. All chlorinecontaining trace gases, whether produced by human activities or by natural processes, have a potential for destroying ozone in the stratosphere. This is a complex environmental problem, but it is clear that manmade chlorine-containing gases are the driving force behind the antarctic ozone hole and, by extension, reductions of stratospheric ozone over other parts of the world [World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 1989, 1991, 1995]. We have taken measurements of the major chlorine-containing gases in Antarctica for more than 20 years, first at Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station and more recently at Palmer Station (64.46°S 64.04°W). Here we report the results of this work. During recent years, major changes in the concentration of ozone-depleting compounds have taken place in Antarctica because of the Montreal Protocol, which is designed to phase out the production of chlorofluorocarbons and related compounds, to prevent the destruction of the ozone layer (WMO 1995).
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/7622
Citation Details
"Chlorine-containing gases in Antarctica." M.A.K. Khalil and R.A. Rasmussen. Antarctic Journal of the United States, 1997 Review, Vol. XXXII-No. 5, 187-189, 1999.