JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3ev090
A research aircraft measures the lower stratosphere at two places. Region X: ClO is about 1 ppb and ozone is very low. Region Y: ClO is negligible and ozone is normal. Which conclusion is best supported?
ARegion Y has more atomic Cl than X
BX has more NOX2, which converts all ClO to ClONOX2
CClO is a product of ozone photolysis, so low ozone must lower ClO
DChlorine is in an activated form (Cl/ClO) in X and is catalytically removing ozone there, while in Y chlorine is mostly tied up as HCl and ClONOX2
Answer: D
ClO is the signature of active chlorine in the cycle Cl+OX3ClO+OX2. High ClO together with low ozone shows the chain is operating. In Y, with little ClO, chlorine must be in reservoirs. Reservoir species form when ClO meets NOX2, which would reduce ClO, the opposite of region X.