Give reason
There is a gradual depletion of the ozone layer.
Answers
Answer:
- Ozone Layer depletion is the significant decrease in the concentration of ozone in the upper layer of the atmosphere caused due to the reaction of chemical compounds containing chlorine and bromine.
- It implies that the rate at which the Ozone is being destroyed is much faster than the rate at which it is being formed.
reasons for Ozone Layer Depletion / factors causing Ozone Layer Depletion ?
1. Chlorofluorocarbons:
These are made up of Chlorine, Fluorine and Carbon. They are released into the atmosphere by discarded refrigerators, aerosols, solvents, etc. Molecules of CFCs when exposed to UV radiation break up, thus freeing Chlorine atoms. This free chlorine atom reacts with Ozone and depletes it.
2. Nitrogenous Compounds:
like NO2, NO, N2O are responsible for ozone depletion. The sources of Nitrogen Oxides are mainly explosions of thermonuclear weapons, agricultural fertilizers and industrial emissions.
3. Bromine Compounds:
These are called Hydrobromo Fuorocarbons (HBFCs) and are used in fire extinguishers. Each bromine atom destroys a hundred times more ozone molecules than a chlorine atom does.
4. Natural Causes:
The ozone layer is depleted by a number of natural causes like the sunspot cycle, volcanic eruption. However, the percentage effect is less i.e around 1-3%.