The most concentrated part is located at an altitude of 2025 kilometers. Ozone layer importance, depletion, effects and protection. There had been a lot of research on this topic over these years to find out all the possible causes that lead to this problem and the effects of ozone depletion. Ozone depleting substances are the substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, hydrofluorocarbons, etc. Ozone is also found much nearer the ground, in the troposphere, the lowest level of earths atmosphere. The cause of ozone layer depletion are discussed below effect of climate.
The ozone is a protective layer that occurs naturally in the stratosphere, 6 to 28 miles in altitude. Unlike the ozone that occurs naturally in the stratosphere, tropospheric ozone is manmade, an indirect result of air pollution created by automobile. Ozone layer depletion is simply the wearing out reduction of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. According to what i have read, a group of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons or cfcs, that were created as refrigerants during the 1930s, were later discovered to accumulate in the stratosphere and deplete the ozone layer. This layer absorbs about 99% harmful solar radiations like uv rays, x rays, gamma rays etc.
Ozone depletion atmospheric ozone layer depletion is a serious problem currently facing the world. Depletion of this layer by ozone depleting substances ods will lead to higher uvb levels, which in turn will cause increased skin cancers and cataracts and potential damage. Causes and effects of ozone layer depletion that are truly dangerous duration. Soils have recently been identified as a significant sink of. Rush limbaugh argues that humans are safe, because volcanic chlorine has been working on the ozone layer longer than manmade chlorine, and yet were. Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s. Causes, effects and solutions of ozone layer depletion. What is important to keep in mind is the fact that prevention of ozone layer depletion is so very important because it directly affects the well being of the people. The experts have blamed the ozone layer depletion on manmade chemicals containing chlorine and bromine that are emitted from a number of products and industrial processes. The causes of ozone layer depletion are mainly responsible for depleting ozone. The word ozone means smelly in greek because the gas has a strong odor. All of us are aware of how the concern related to depletion of ozone layer and the ozone hole, which also led to the ban of many chemicals such as the chlorofluorocarbon cfc.
Ozone layer depletion the importance of stratospheric ozone. The ozone layer protects humans, animals, and plants from harmful ultraviolet rays. Effects of ozone depletion for humans and the environment. Ozone depletion, gradual thinning of earth s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. Summarize the research findings on the ozone layer, beginning in the 1970s identify the importance of the montreal protocol as it was originally signed and as it stands today to unlock this lesson. Causes of ozone layer depletion ozone layer environment. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole. Why ozone layer is important ozone layer depletion and. The most important lesson from 83,000 brain scans daniel amen. If the ozone of the ozone layer is calibrated to the standard case, its thickness is only about 3 mm on average. Ozone layer, region of the upper atmosphere, between roughly 15 and 35 km 9 and 22 miles above earths surface, containing relatively high concentrations of ozone molecules. Causes and effects of ozone layer depletion that are. Now we will see some of the important effects of ozone layer depletion. Additionally, it plays a major role in malignant melanoma development.
The connection between ozone layer depletion and uvb radiation. Low temperatures, increase in the level of chlorine and bromine gases in the upper stratosphere are some of the reasons that leads to ozone layer depletion. Ozone layer latest news on ozone layer read breaking. The increase in the levels of uv rays lead to high rate of skin cancer and eye related problems. The ozone layer is a layer with high ozone concentration in the stratosphere of the atmosphere. The montreal protocol in 1987 has been successful in curbing many of the substances that are most destructive to the ozone layer. What are the most important agents of ozone depletion. Ozone depletion facts and information national geographic. The ban on the cfcs resulted in about 20 per cent less ozone depletion during the antarctic winter from 2005 to 2016, while chlorine levels declined by an average 0. A combination of low temperatures, elevated chlorine, and bromine concentrations in the upper stratosphere are responsible for the destruction of ozone. Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, animals, and plants. You may have heard that an enormous hole in the ozone layer had once formed in the atmosphere.
However, some people intentionally take such serious things very lightly. Health and environmental effects of ozone layer depletion. Approximately 90 percent of the atmospheres ozone occurs from 1018 km 611 miles to. Reduced ozone levels as a result of ozone depletion ozone depletiona chemical destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer beyond natural reactions. The ozone layer lies approximately 1540 kilometers 1025 miles above the earths surface, in the stratosphere. However, the fact that there also exists another layer strong enough to stop the former one is comforting. In the upper atmosphere, atmospheric gases absorbs the suns radiation, get ionized, and release molecules. The earths ozone layer ozone layerthe region of the stratosphere containing the bulk of atmospheric ozone.
Therefore, if humans stop putting cfcs and other ozone destroying chemicals into the stratosphere, the ozone layer eventually may repair itself. Since it was discovered, this ozone hole has grown larger in each successive antarctic winter before it disappears in the summer. Short paragraph on harmful effects of ozone layer depletion. Find out what caused the ozone hole, and how the 1989 montreal protocol sought to put an end to ozone depletion. Methyl bromide is the single largest contributor of stratospheric br and an important contributor to stratospheric ozone depletion. These ultraviolet rays can harm both plant and animal life. The most severe depletion of the ozone layer occurs over the south pole in late winter and early spring. This layer absorbs the radiations and prohibits them from entering the outer surface of the earth. Many people are unaware of all these important facts. The ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. If the ultra violet rays of sun reaches directly to the earth surface, the temperature of the lower atmosphere will be increased.
This, in turn, will lead to the breakdown of ozone. Humans research confirms that high levels of uv rays cause nonmelanoma skin cancer. In lower atmosphere, atmospheric oxygen get dissociated and subsequently combines with molecular oxygen of the. Ozone layer depletion cause, effects, and solutions. Without the layer of ozone in the atmosphere, it would be very difficult for anything to survive on the surface. Hence, cfcs are transporting agents that are responsible for damaging the ozone layer. How does ozone depletion affect uv levels and life on earth. Ozone layer damage is more like a really thin patch than a hole. What we all need to understand is the idea that we all are going to have to face the repercussions of ozone layer depletion. Depletion to ozone layer depletion does not affect a region or a country. Ozone layer importance, depletion, effects and protection of ozone layer may 23, 2019 author chemistry, geology and astronomy 0 ozone is a paleblue gas that forms a layer in the stratosphere of our atmosphere called ozone layer. Initially we have published 500 word article for ozone layer depletion.
Ozone is very effective within the uvc wavelength range of 200280 nm, somewhat less so in the uvb range of 280. Stratospheric ozone is biologically important because it selectively absorbs much of the incoming solar electromagnetic radiation within the ultraviolet uv range. At that time, the ozone layer is reduced to as little as 100 dobson units, or about the thickness of a dime. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. Ozone is a gas in the atmosphere that protects everything living on the earth from harmful ultraviolet uv rays from the sun. The ozone layer is a region of the stratosphere containing ozone, or o3 gas. This is why it is so important that we protect our precious ozone layer. Following is the list of some of the main ozone depleting substances and the sources from where they are released. Plants cannot live and grow in heavy ultraviolet radiation. Ozone depletion the term ozone depletion means more than just the natural destruction of ozone, it means that ozone loss is exceeding ozone creation. Lets have a look at some of the solutions to ozone layer depletion. This typically results from higher uv levels reaching us on earth. Ozone is a paleblue gas that forms a layer in the stratosphere of our atmosphere called ozone layer. Ozone is harmful at ground level but high up the atmosphere ozone layer plays a vital role in the protection of all living beings.
Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders. This is apparently found in the lowest region of the stratosphere. Money and time are being spent on ozone repair, but the problem still exists. Chemical ban helped closing up of ozone layer hole. Ozone layer depletion causes, effects and solutions 7. Ozone holes are popular names for areas of damage to the ozone layer. Unfortunately, this gives them plenty of time to find their way to the ozone layer.
In fact whole world is vulnerable to its after affects. But the one and the most important reason for ozone layer depletion is the production and emission of. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion. The ozone layer is important because it filters harmful ultraviolet radiation as it travels from the sun to the surface of the earth. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, ozone depletion has been pinned down to one major human activity.
The role of ozone in the atmosphere and environment. First it absorbs some of the higher energy uv rays from the sun in the same way a cloud absorbs and reflect some of the visible light. After observation of a depletion of the ozone layer from the addition of chlorofluorocarbons and other manmade chemicals, the montreal protocol was. The production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons cfcs, is the leading cause of ozone layer depletion. One chlorine molecule from a cfc can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules. As the result the local climate will be changed, beside this the level of the sea will be increased as the continental and mountain glacier will be. Ozone layer depletion the importance of stratospheric. The first report of depletion in o 3 layer came out in the 1980s by an atmospheric scientist in antarctica. Depletion of o3 can increase uv radiation entering earth surface. Stratospheric ozone is constantly being created and destroyed through natural cycles. Cfc molecules are highly stable and can last for up to 100 years.
Malignant melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common cancers due to exposure to uv rays. The importance of the ozone like an infection that grows more and more virulent, the continentsize hole in earths ozone layer keeps getting bigger and biggerbeyond discovery. Ozone depletion and the environment there is overwhelming scientific evidence that manmade chemicals are destroying the ozone layer nobel prizes have already been awarded for the research. The ozone layer serves as an umbrella or protective shield of the troposphere and saves the earths surface from most of the ultra violet solar radiation by absorbing the ultra violet rays. The parts of the uv light absorbed or reflected is very harsh on the. Ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen o 3, found in the earths atmosphere. Ozone present in the stratosphere forms a protective layer and known as ozone layer, ozonosphere or ozone umbrella its concentration in atmosphere is about 10 ppm. Basic ozone layer science ozone layer protection us epa. The depletion of the ozone layer started to capture the attention of the scientists, environmentalists. In the 1980s, due to manufacturing processes and home use of cfcs, a hole in the ozone layer covering many millions of square miles above antarctica had formed.
Ozone layer depletion causes increased uv radiation levels at the earths surface, which is damaging to human health. The main things that lead to destruction of the ozone gas in the ozone layer. The ozone layer forms a most important part of the earths stratosphere as it can absorb most of the uv radiation and prevent it from reaching the surface of the earth. The sun propagates ultraviolet radiations which as an adverse effect on living beings. On this day of september 16, marked as the ozone layer day, let use try to know some of the basics of ozone layer like what is ozone layer, importance of ozone layer, how ozone layer gets depleted, effects of depletion of ozone layer, how to prevent depletion of ozone layer, montreal protocol, our role in preventing ozone layer etc. Exposure to uv rays from the sun can lead to increased risk for developing of several types of skin cancers.
1259 887 621 91 653 1188 1044 189 783 204 491 1636 571 140 1556 1632 1212 1321 1224 1432 982 427 1277 847 1449 200 450 472 70 81