Question

How are the following caused and what is the effect of each of them on our environment? (i) Depletion of ozone layer (ii) Acid rain

Answer 1

Depletion of ozone is due to the chlorine atoms of CFC molecules (chlorofluorocarbon).When CFCs are dispersed in the atmosphere the ozone decomposes it into chlorine and fluorine which further demolish the ozone layer at an alarming rate. It leads to skin cancer, cataract, death of animals. Acid rain is rain water containing harmful amount of nitric n sulphuric acids. When fossil fuels such as coal, wood etc are burnt nitrogen and sulphur oxides are released in the atmosphere. These are soluble in water and thus react with the water vapour In the atmosphere and form nitric, nitrous, sulphuric n sulphurous acids. Acid rain increases acidity in the soil, leads to infertility of soil, death of plants animals marine life etc