The depletion in atmospheric ozone layer in last century was due to :

The depletion in atmospheric ozone layer in last century was due to :

chlorofluorocarbon
carbon monoxide
methane
pesticides
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
The correct answer is A. The depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer observed in the last century is primarily attributed to the release of synthetic chemicals, especially chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
– CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform were widely used in refrigerants, aerosols, fire extinguishers, and solvents.
– When these chemicals reach the stratosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms which catalytically destroy ozone molecules ($\text{O}_3$).
The discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica and subsequent scientific research led to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1987), an international treaty designed to phase out the production and consumption of ODS. This has led to a slow recovery of the ozone layer. Carbon monoxide, methane, and pesticides have different environmental impacts but are not the primary cause of stratospheric ozone depletion.
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