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Article #9CHALLENGE FROM ICONOCLAST 4
From: DAVID BRANTZ
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 00:00
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 00:00
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OZONE DEPLETION FALLACY by David Brantz
The United States government has instituted a policy that
could cost the American people two to four thousand billion
dollars, almost as much as the national debt. The death of
thousands and perhaps millions in the third world can result
as the freon that is used to keep their foods edible can no
longer be obtained. The policy is applauded by environ-
mentalists, for it supports their goal,"Down With Modern
Civilization!"
A cry! "Deadly rays will come to earth, causing skin
cancer and possibly destroying many plants and animals, for
the ozone layer is being destroyed!" The press, radio and
television echoed it. An investigator Sherwood Royland,
in his air conditioned office was the source. An assistant
reported that in the presence of high energy light, a
chlorine ion was breaking down ozone; that ultra-violet
radiation was releasing chlorine from the fluorocarbons (CFC's)
Mr. Royland, dreaming of funding, seized this as an opening
and with great publicity announced that the fluorocarbon
molecules which migrated into the stratosphere from the
troposphere in the stratosphere-troposphere exchange, moving
with the rest of the atmosphere. The CFC's reacted with the
intense ultra-violet radiation in the middle and upper
stratosphere, releasing chlorine. He stated that this
chlorine would damage and possibly destroy the ozone layer.
A computer model was created with the pre-drawn conclusion
that the fluorocarbons would destroy the earth's ozone shield.
Unfortunately it was created by myopic individuals with static
minds, trying to analyze a dynamic world. It excluded the true
dynamics of the environment. The high energy rays flowing
from the sun helped to recreate the ozone as it was dissipated.
This assumes that the rays could penetrate; that the ultra-
violet radiation is available to help replace the ozone. When
the ultra-violet radiation is not streaming, there is no need
to replace the ozone.
In the real world, the chlorine in the stratosphere is nearly
all natural. The fluorocarbons provide a very small portion
of the chlorine. This will be obvious further in the analysis.
The challenge to the Ozone Depletion Hypothesis is provided
from the measuements of its supporters. NASA, reaching for
the skies, surveyed the atmosphere from the ground to heights
of spare atoms and molecules. It tabulated the results in the
tables and graphs of THE OZONE RESEARCH AND MONITORING PROJECT,
Report No.16,1985 (1). This was published in three volumes.
Later it surveyed the same subject and tabulated the results
in the tables and graphs of the REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
OZONE TRENDS PANEL, 1988 Report No.18 (2). This was published
in two volumes. Report No.18 does not conflict with Report No.
16, though it ignores some of its previous findings.
A preliminary report was published on February 17,1989 (3).
It described the flights of a high altitude ER-2 and a modified
DC-8 into the stratosphere. Taking many readings, it discovered
that the chloride monoxide was as high as 800 parts per trillion
volume (pptv). This was many times larger than originally
observed. A vortex with high chloride monoxide content could
result from the uplift of gases from the lower atmosphere (or
troposphere) to the stratosphere.
The description of a large cirrus cloud, fifty thousand feet
high and generating a vertical forcing or uplift was mentioned(4)
This could account for the chlorine available for the chloride
monoxide, since the air over the oceans and seashore contains a
half part per million when pulled down by the rains(5). It
would give the ocean atmosphere a chlorine content from three
to ten parts per billion, four to over twelve times the 800 pptv
in the vortex.
NASA admitted that much of their conclusions were tentative,
including much conjecture. The repeated statements that
manufactured materials cause the high chloride content in the
stratosphere offer no supporting evidence and are statements
of faith. The tabulations from Report No.16 show that the
photolysis (or light induced breakdown) of the fluorocarbons
in the lower stratosphere is virtually non-existing.
Whenever destruction of the fluorocarbons at the higher
stratospheric altitudes occur, the release of chlorine also
releases fluorine. It combines with available hydrogen to produce
the low density hydrogen fluoride gas. Since the hydrogen
fluoride is the only resultant of the release of fluorine, it
becomes a marker (6), revealing the amount of chlorine obtained
from the breakup of the fluorocarbon molecules. The ratio of
chlorine to fluorine is 1.025 to one. Since the chlorine content
in the stratosphere is approximately 6.22 x 10^15 per cm^2,
annual chlorine added chlorine percentage from the fluorocarbons
as shown in the analysis may be as low as 0.597% of the total (7).
There is a gas flow in the stratosphere which approaches
a laminar or virtually non-turbulent condition (8). This
encourages a vertical alignment of gases according to density.
It permits the very light hydrogen fluoride to remain in the
middle or upper stratosphere, while the heavier chloride
molecules seep down to the lower stratosphere. This is
suggested since there is a very large increase in the chloride
compounds mixing ratio at those altitudes. The chlorine
resulting from the breakdown of the CFC's seeped down and was
exchanged in the thirteen and a half month rotation of the
stratospheric-tropospheric atmospheres (9).
The minor role that fluorocarbons play in the production of
stratospheric chlorine becomes obvious, but it avoids explaining
the role that chlorine,acting as a catalyst, plays in the
depletion of ozone. The ozone, being indirectly formed from
high intensity rays from the sun, becomes the shield that
limits the ultra-violet rays reaching the ground to acceptable
levels. The ozone produced is constantly in flux, being reduced
by catalysts or even the rays of the sun. With the elimination
of an ozone molecule, ultra-violet rays enter the gap, striking
an oxygen molecule and two resulting activated oxygen atoms are
off in a hunt to combine with another oxygen atom or to join an
oxygen molecule, forming an unstable ozone molecule. This is
an ongoing process and as long as the ultra-violet rays are
flowing.
At dusk,the ultra-violet rays are greatly reduced in intensity
as they have been filtered from the atmosphere due to the slant
of the sun. Since there is still available light, the catalysts
act to reduce the ozone molecules, but due to the paucity of
catalytic molecules, the reduction is very minor. At dawn, the
slight reduction continues until the more direct direct radiation
from the sun permits the almost infinite ultra-violet photons to
penetrate and the ozone is replenished. The density of the ozone
column (10) is partly dependent on the intensity of the high
energy radiation. The solar cycle, the latitude, the time of day
and the season of the year affect the column.
Depletion of stratospheric ozone would cause the ozone column
to lower, since applying the Law of Mass Action, the reaction
would proceed in the direction of application. The total number
of molecules in the column would remain the same unless the ultra-
violet radiation intensity was changed. Lowering the column would
still allow ultra-violet radiation to continue streaming unless
they were absorbed by the ozone. The greater oxygen density at
the lower altitudes would increase the access of ozone formation.
Though this is possible, NASA does not report any lowering of the
ozone column.
The ozone column was not lowered, still a loss of ozone was
reported in the Antarctic. This loss was called the "Ozone Hole"
and illustrates the Law of Mass Action. With the early seasonal
appearance of the sun, the rays are slanted through the earth's
atmosphere and initiate the reaction of the catalysts on the
ozone,reducing it. This is possible since there is very little
if any ultra-violet radiation to fully replenish the depleted
ozone. This should be of little concern, since the dangerous
rays will not reach the ground. As the sun rises to an angle
which would permit the ultra-violet radiation to reach the lower
stratosphere, the hole closes as the ozone is replenished and
the ground receives an acceptable amount of ultra-violet
radiation.
Most of the individuals who have embraced the Ozone
Depletion Hypothesis may not realize that the hole is a
continuing occurerence ages old, but those who have presented
it as an occurrence to be feared reject that fact, since it
conflicts with their dogma. Possibly their knowledge of basic
chemistry may be limited. More likely they actually fear
diminished funding as the threat of deadly rays reaching the
ground is diminished.
Predrawn conclusions that ignore the real world is a result
of accepting the models and ignoring the real world. I question
the conclusions of the NASA scientists as I use their derived
data from measurements , which they apparently wish to ignore.
For some vague reason, the least costly but most critical
effect of the believed ozone reduction is not examined. What
change occurs in the intensity of ultra-violet radiation reaching
the ground? Costly flights and satellite readings of ozone,
chlorine, fluorocarbons and fluorine concentrations cannot answer
that question.
The measurement of ultra-violet radiation at ground level is
easily obtained with comparitively inexpensive equipment .
Intensity meters with filters to allow only the high intensity
radiation to enter can be widely spaced and keyed to computers
for continuous readings and recordings. The information could
be compared with available early data as well as being available
for future comparisons. The periodic cycles of solar radiation
which cause variation in ultra-violet radiation must also be
considered. This ground based information source is not as
dramatic and glamorous as the flights into the sky, but would
return the study of ozone influence to the real world.
The appendix which follows present the references and proofs of
the statements which have been made. They have been marked
above with the bracketed numbers.
APPENDIX TO OZONE DEPLETION FALLACY
1. NASA - OZONE RESERARCH AND MONITORING PROJECT Report No.16,
1985 3 volumes.
2. NASZ - REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL OZONE TREND PANEL Report
No.18, 1988 2 volumes
3. Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition - Preliminary
Findings Febrruary 17, 1989
4. Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition - Sht.3 Par.1
5. The Chemistry of the Atmosphere and Oceans - Holland- Wiley
1978 Pg. 92 (Ref. to Junge and Gustafson, 1957)
6. During the dissociation of the Chlorofluorocarbons, fluorine,
Chlorine and Carbon are released. The percentage of chlorine
in the atmosphere from CFC's breakup can be obtained from
the fluorine available. This would be a conservative estimate
since there is still some outside sources of fluorine.
Fluorine is the most active of the negative valence materials
and it will extract hydrogen from any source,including water
crystals, to form hydrogen fluoride (HF). Measurements of HF
is the measurement of fluorine. The total column of HF in
1987 was: 7 x 10^14 Report No. 18, Pg. 587, Fig. 9.8.
7. The proportion of chlorine in the stratosphere resulting from
CFC's breakup is obtained from determining the fluorine that
is available from Freon 11 and Freon 12.
At 28 Km, CCl_3F is 2 pptv (Report No.16, Pg.634, FIG.11-18)
At 28 Km, CCl_2F_2 is 80 pptv (Report No.16,Pg.636,Fig.11-19)
Thus proportion chlorine to fluorine at 28 Km is:
[3(2)+2(80)]/[1(2)+2(80)] = 1.025 chlorine to fluorine
The available chlorine in the equivalent HCl column requires
that the HCl and the CClONO_2 = 1.0 ppbv be placed in the
same reference.
At 28 Km CClONO_2 = 1.0 ppbv (Report No.16,Pg.617 Fig.11-8)
At 28 Km HCl = 6.1x10^8 molecules per cm^3 (Report No.16,
Pg.620, Fig.11-9)
At 28 Km Temp.=230 Kelvin (Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
47th Ed., Pg.F-117 Properties of Earth Atmosphere interpolat).
Atmosphere at 28 Km = 17 mbar Atmosph. at 0 Km = 1013.3 mbar
(Report No. 18 Pg. 829 Appendix H)
Molecules per cm^3 at 28 Km atmosphere total:
[(17/1013.3)x(6.03 x 10^23)x(273/230)]/22,400 = 5.36 x 10^17
HCl ppbv = (6.1 x 10^8 x 10^9)/(5.36 x 10^17) = 1.14
Proportion of chlorine total to chlorine in HCl is:
(1.0 + 1.14)/1.14 = 1.88
The HCl column in 1987 was approximately 3.31 x 10^15
per cm^2 (Report No.18, Pg.584, Fig.9.7)
The equivalent chlorine column = 3.31x10^15x1.88 =
6.22x10^15 molecules per cm^2.
At 28 Km HF column was 7.6 x 10^14 molecules per cm^2
(Report No.18, Pg.587, Fig.9.8)
The equivalent chloride column from CFC's is:
7.6 x 1.025 = 7.79 x 10^14 molecules per cm^2.
Percentage chlorine from CFC's to total chlorine is:
(7.79x10^14 x 100)/6.22x10^15 = 12.5%
This has to allow for the fact that the HF has a long
residency rate in the upper stratosohere due to its low
density. This explained the accumulation of HF. Zender
determined a trend line of: 3.62x10^13 molecules per cm^3
per year. (Report No.18, Pg.586, Par.9.3.2). Using that
trend line the chlorine per year due to CFC's can be as
low as: (3.62x10^13x1.025x100)/6.22x10^15 = 0.597%.
8. One of the basic and proven laws is Avogadro's Hypothesis:
Equal volumes of all gases under the same conditions of
temperature and pressure contain the same number of
molecules.
The Avogadro's Number is: 6.03x10^23 molecules at zero
degrees Centegrade and 760 mm pressure has a volume of
22.4 liters for a gram molecular weight. This shows that
gases have a density proportional to their molecular weight.
The molecular weight (density) of the various gases in the
atmosphere involved in the breakup of CFC's as well as the
major constituents of the atmosphere are given below in order
of increasing densities:
Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) = 20.0
Nitrogen (N_2) = 28.0
Oxygen (O_2) = 32.0
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) = 36.45
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO_2) = 46.0
Chloride Monoxide (ClO) = 51.45
Freon 12 (CCl_2F_2) = 128.9
Freon 11 (CCl_3F) = 137.4
Density of Materials: Define Air Density as 1.0
HF 20/28.8 = 0.695
HCl 36.45/28.8 = 1.264
CCl_2F_2 128.9/28.8 = 4.476
CCl_3F 137.4/28.8 = 4.771
All stratospheric gases seem to be distributed relative to
their densities at various altitudes. Small differences in
densities seem to make a large difference in mixing ratios.
For a 15 Km difference, dividing the mixing ratios at the
lower altitudes by the mixing ratios at the higher altitudes
will indicate relative densities, though not proportional.
For CCl_3F at 15 Km and 30 Km. (Report No. 16, Pg. 636,
Fig. 11-18) 180 pptv/0.42 pptv = 428.6
For CCl_2F_2 at 15 Km and at 30 Km (Report No. 16, Pg. 620,
Fig. 11-19) 290 pptv/40 pptv = 7.25
For HCl at 20 Km and at 35 Km (Report No. 16, pg. 620,
Fig. 11-11) 450 pptv/1,020 pptv = 0.441
The reports do not have a graph referencing a volume mixing
ratio for HF but only concentrations It is necessary to
convert the HF concentrations to a mixing ratio.
Temp at 20 Km = 210K, and at 35 Km = 223K. (Handbook Of Chem.
& Physics 47 Ed. Pg. F-117)
At standard temperature and pressure, the number of molecules
per cm^3 = (6.03x10^23)/(1,000x22.4) = 2.69X10^19
At 20 Km pressure = 55 mbar, At 35 Km pressure = 6.1 mbar
(Report No.18, Pg.829, Appendix H)
At 20 Km (2.69 x 10^19 x 273)/(210 x 55/1013.3 = 1.9x10^18
molecules per cm^3. Atmosphere
At 35 Km (2.69 x 10^19 x 273)/(223 x 6.1/1013.3) =
1.98 x 10^17 molecules per cm^3 Atmosphere
HF concentration at 20 Km = 1.9 x 10^8 molecules per cm^3
HF concentration at 35 Km = 8.9 x 10^7 molecules per cm^3
Both values HF (Report No. 16, pg. 629, Fig. 11-15)
At 20 KM (1.9x10^8 x 10^12)/1.9x10^18 = 100 pptv
At 35 Km (8.9x10^7 x 10^12)/1.98x 10^17 = 449 pptv
For HF at 20 Km and at 35 Km Ratio = 100/449 = 0.22
From the above, it is obvious that the density of a gas
determines the relationship between the mixing ratios of
the upper and lower altitudes. The mixing ratios of the
lighter gas are higher at the higher altitudes. This
indicates that the gas may drift up or stay up, while the
heavier gases drift down. The mixing ratios for the heavier
gases are thus greater at the lower altitudes than they are
at the higher altitudes.
This indicates a flow in the stratosphere close to laminar,
for turbulent flow would gegerally have the mixing ratios of
the gases the same at the various altitudes.
9. There is an annual exchange between the stratosphere and the
troposphere. Reiter (1979) estimated it to be 89%. This
would mean that there is an exchange every (100/89) x 12
= 13.5 months. (Report No.16, Pg.151, Par. 3).
10.The ozone column is the number of molecules per cm^2 from the
roof of the atmosphere to any altitude, with a maximum value
at ground level. It varies with time, latitude and season.
The area is generally a square centimeter, though that may be
converted to a square inch by a multiple of 6.45.
NOTE ON COLUMN ABUNDANCE OF HF IN fIG. 9.8,REPORT NO. 18.
I have altered the column molecules per cm^2 from 10^15
molecules per cm^2 in Fig.9.8 of Report No. 18 to 10^14
molecules per cm^2. The original showed that in 1986 the HF
column was given as 7 x 10^15 molecules per cm^2, while the
HCl column was shown as 3 x 10^15 molecules per cm^2 on
Fig.9.7 of Report No. 18. This is in conflict with all
available data. Report No. 16, Fig. 11.12 shows that the
HCl columb was five times as large large in abundance as the
HF column. From Report No.16, hcl concentration per cm^3 was
on average about six times the HF concentration per cm^3 in
Fig. 11-15. Other references in the report showed the same
relationship.
I cannot detyermine whether the error was by accident or by
design. David Brantz
The control by the environmentalists of congress may have
come to an end. There are bills pending in the congress to
review the commitment to the elimination of the CFC's. So
much data has come forth showing that Freon was not the
villian painted by those who cry doom.
Technical Details
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X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 100ecf,67a5861ea100fed8,start X-Google-Attributes: gid100ecf,public X-Google-Thread: 108a14,67a5861ea100fed8,start X-Google-Attributes: gid108a14,public From: dav-bra@ix.netcom.com (DAVID BRANTZ ) Subject: CHALLENGE FROM ICONOCLAST 4 Date: 1995/09/22 Message-ID: <43v3br$p9s@ixnews6.ix.netcom.com> X-Deja-AN: 110587977 organization: Netcom x-netcom-date: Fri Sep 22 12:38:35 PM PDT 1995 newsgroups: sci.geo.eos,earth.general