OBSERVATION OF CHARGE-INDUCED RECOVERY OF OZONE CONCENTRATION AFTER CATALYTIC DESTRUCTION BY CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS

Experiments in large chambers demonstrate for the first time the recov ery of ozone after catalytic destruction by chlorine atoms released fr om CFCl3 under uv radiation. Recovery is brought about by charge attac hment to chlorine atoms which encounter a current of low-energy negati ve charges. These negative chlorine ions do not destroy ozone catalyti cally and can be collected by positively biased surfaces. The observed recovery of the ozone concentration is in quantitative agreement with a model of successive charge transfers to chlorine to form negative i ons. The inclusion of minority ions does not affect our conclusion. Pr esent results can lead to remediation of stratospheric ozone depletion .