Physics Commons^™

Chlorine-Containing Gases In Antarctica, M. A. K. Khalil, R. A. Rasmussen

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

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 …