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Why are there "ozone holes" in the ozone layer?

The ozone "hole" is an area of depleted ozone located in the stratosphere above the Antarctic that occurs between August and October.


Ozone depletion is caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Once CFCs reach the stratosphere, their reaction with UV light leads to the release of chlorine atoms into the atmosphere. Chlorine atoms then participate in other chemical reactions that destroy the ozone and release chlorine atoms back into the atmosphere.


During the months of November through July, most of the chlorine released from CFCs is stored in the stable compounds hydrochloric acid and chlorine nitrate. Unusual weather patterns in the Antarctic between the months of August and October trigger chemical reactions that break down hydrochloric acid and chlorine nitrate into free chlorine atoms. This results in a period of ozone depletion between August and October. The ozone layer stabilizes during the remainder of the year.

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