Ozone depletion
...ing chlorine monoxide (CLO) and oxygen (O2). In the second step CLO reacts with atomic oxygen (O), forming CL and another O2. By adding reactions together and canceling out atoms or molecules that occur on both sides of the formula the net reaction is produced. This net reaction causes the destruction of ozone, the formula for the destruction of ozone is called the Chapman reaction. This formula is called the Chlorine Catalytic Cycle; the same formula is used when nitrogen is introduced into the atmosphere. (Kump 285) The depletion of ozone can only occur in antarctica, this is due to what is called a polar vortex. A polar vortex is a circular downward sinking whirlpool of stratospheric air over the poles in winter. The reason the arctic polar vortex can not cause the same reactions is because the arctic vortex is not nearly as pronounced. (Kump 340). The different reactions that destroy ozone need a surface to take place, since clouds do not form commonly in the stratospher the only time it can occur is when polar stra...