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That seems like a valid explanation for the "start" of a hole if there was a continuous stream of _only_ CFCs and chlorine. Doesn't the ozone gas itself get bl
by RobertRoberts 8y ago
That seems like a valid explanation for the "start" of a hole if there was a continuous stream of _only_ CFCs and chlorine.
Doesn't the ozone gas itself get blown around in the wind also? Wouldn't this mean that ozone would eventually fill the hole back up unless there was a steady stream of CFCs/chlorine to that one spot?
- brorfred 8y agoCFCs effectively function as a catalyzer and aren't consumed by the process, hence the hole is more of a Ozone sink. Wikipedia explains the effect of large-scale transport in the stratosphere well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer
- caf 8y agoDuring the polar winter, when the necessary polar stratospheric clouds can form for ozone depletion to occur, the polar vortex also strengthens which tends to isolate the polar stratosphere. During the summer, the vortex weakens, mixing occurs and the ozone depletion over the pole is reduced (the "ozone hole" is seasonal). In fact, as this occurs in the southern spring, areas of ozone-depleted stratosphere drift over inhabited lands to the north. More CFCs also enter the polar stratosphere through this mixing, though, ready to start the cycle again next polar winter.