Since the 1970s, an important focus of study has been the ozone layer in the atmosphere above Antarctica. In 1985, three British scientists working on data they had gathered at Halley Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf discovered the existence of a hole in this layer. It was eventually determined that the destruction of the ozone was caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) emitted by human products. With the ban of CFCs in the Montreal Protocol of 1989, climate projections indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. COUNT 5
QSN1 What has been an important atmospheric study since the 1970s? ANS1 ozone layer QSN2 When did scientists discover the hole in the ozone layer? ANS2 1985 QSN3 Where in Antarctica is Halley Station? ANS3 Brunt Ice Shelf QSN4 What chemical was discovered to have caused the hole in the ozone? ANS4 chlorofluorocarbons QSN5 What agreement banned the use of CFC s? ANS5 Montreal Protocol