Which pollutants are associated with ozone destruction?

Which pollutants are associated with ozone destruction?

• A. Man-made pollutants
• B. Natural chlorofluorocarbons
• C. Carbon dioxide
• D. Methane

Answer: (D)

Ozone destruction in the stratosphere happens when reactive radicals are produced that participate in cycles breaking apart ozone molecules. Methane contributes to this process by oxidizing in the upper atmosphere to form more HOx radicals (OH and HO2). These HOx species participate in reactions that convert ozone into oxygen, depleting stratospheric ozone over time. So, among the options, methane is the pollutant that is directly linked to ozone destruction through this radical-chemistry pathway. The other choices don’t fit as neatly. Saying “man-made pollutants” is too broad because not all man-made pollutants affect ozone in the same way. “Natural chlorofluorocarbons” isn’t accurate since CFCs are man-made, not natural. Carbon dioxide does not directly destroy ozone; it’s primarily a greenhouse gas affecting climate.

Ozone destruction in the stratosphere happens when reactive radicals are produced that participate in cycles breaking apart ozone molecules. Methane contributes to this process by oxidizing in the upper atmosphere to form more HOx radicals (OH and HO2). These HOx species participate in reactions that convert ozone into oxygen, depleting stratospheric ozone over time. So, among the options, methane is the pollutant that is directly linked to ozone destruction through this radical-chemistry pathway.

The other choices don’t fit as neatly. Saying “man-made pollutants” is too broad because not all man-made pollutants affect ozone in the same way. “Natural chlorofluorocarbons” isn’t accurate since CFCs are man-made, not natural. Carbon dioxide does not directly destroy ozone; it’s primarily a greenhouse gas affecting climate.