What is the main factor responsible for ozone layer depletion?
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The Ozone layer is a deep blanket in the stratosphere made up of comparatively high concentration of the ozone. As a result of its chemical composition, ozone is regarded as a special type of oxygen as it contains three oxygen molecules (O3) as opposed to the usual two oxygen molecules (O2).
The ozone layer encircles the earth and occurs naturally. It is mainly found in the lower part of the stratosphere, approximately 15 to 30 kilometers (9 to 18 miles) above the earth. The ozone is an extremely reactive layer and it acts as a shield from the harmful ultraviolet B rays discharged from the sun. The ozone layer is continually being generated and broken down owing to several atmospheric processes and chemical reactions. This makes the thickness of the ozone layer to vary geographically and seasonally.
Climate change and ozone depletion are two global issues that are different but have many connections. In the ozone depletion case, we managed to work with decision makers effectively so that an international agreement called the Montreal Protocol was achieved that essentially solved the ozone depletion problem.
Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion
There have been several concerns about ozone depletion. The problems and causes associated with ozone depletion arise from human activities. Unlike pollution which has several causes, there is one specific chemical compound that is responsible for the breakdown of the ozone layer.
These chemical compounds are present in many industrial manufactured products and aerosols. Nonetheless, since the discovery of ozone depletion, the Montreal Protocol was established to regulate the manufacture and use of these chemical compounds. Below is the detailed account of the chemicals responsible for the ozone layer depletion.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the primary cause for the ozone layer depletion. Industrial products including solvents, soaps, spray aerosols, insulating foams, ‘take-away’ containers and cooling utilities such as refrigerators and air conditioners use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Over time, these substances accumulate in the atmosphere are carried by wind action into the stratosphere.
ODS
There are also other chemical substances that are generally grouped as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Examples are methyl bromide use in pesticides, methyl chloroform used on making industrial solvents, and halons used in fire extinguishers. Just like the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), these substances also chemically react with the ozone which starts a chemical cycle that break up the good ozone.
Other chemicals
Other chemicals that naturally present similar reactions with the good ozone include Clx, Hox and Noy which belong to the Chlorine, Hydrogen and Nitrogen families respectively.
Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
Ozone layer depletion can have some serious consequences on effects of human health, plants, marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles and earth’s environment. Let us see each one of these in detail.
Effect on health of humans
With depletion in ozone’s layer, we humans are more prone to UV rays that reaches the Earth’s surface. Studies suggests that high levels of UV Rays cause non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. Direct exposure to UV rays can lead to development of cataracts which clouds the eye’s lens.
Permanent exposure to UV rays can also lead to weakening of the response of immune system and even permanent damage to immune system in some cases.
Aging of skin is yet another problem that will make you look older than what you really are. Extensive exposure to UV rays can lead to acceleration of the aging process of your skin.
Effect on plants
Plants become another casualty by radiation effects of UV rays. The physiological and developmental processes of plants are also severely affected apart from the growth. Some other changes that are caused by UV inlcude the way plants form, timing of development and growth, how nutrients are distributied within the plant and metabolism, etc.
Effect on marine ecosystems
UV rays also have adverse effect on the marine ecosystems. It badly affects the planktons that form the
The ozone layer encircles the earth and occurs naturally. It is mainly found in the lower part of the stratosphere, approximately 15 to 30 kilometers (9 to 18 miles) above the earth. The ozone is an extremely reactive layer and it acts as a shield from the harmful ultraviolet B rays discharged from the sun. The ozone layer is continually being generated and broken down owing to several atmospheric processes and chemical reactions. This makes the thickness of the ozone layer to vary geographically and seasonally.
Climate change and ozone depletion are two global issues that are different but have many connections. In the ozone depletion case, we managed to work with decision makers effectively so that an international agreement called the Montreal Protocol was achieved that essentially solved the ozone depletion problem.
Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion
There have been several concerns about ozone depletion. The problems and causes associated with ozone depletion arise from human activities. Unlike pollution which has several causes, there is one specific chemical compound that is responsible for the breakdown of the ozone layer.
These chemical compounds are present in many industrial manufactured products and aerosols. Nonetheless, since the discovery of ozone depletion, the Montreal Protocol was established to regulate the manufacture and use of these chemical compounds. Below is the detailed account of the chemicals responsible for the ozone layer depletion.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the primary cause for the ozone layer depletion. Industrial products including solvents, soaps, spray aerosols, insulating foams, ‘take-away’ containers and cooling utilities such as refrigerators and air conditioners use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Over time, these substances accumulate in the atmosphere are carried by wind action into the stratosphere.
ODS
There are also other chemical substances that are generally grouped as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Examples are methyl bromide use in pesticides, methyl chloroform used on making industrial solvents, and halons used in fire extinguishers. Just like the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), these substances also chemically react with the ozone which starts a chemical cycle that break up the good ozone.
Other chemicals
Other chemicals that naturally present similar reactions with the good ozone include Clx, Hox and Noy which belong to the Chlorine, Hydrogen and Nitrogen families respectively.
Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion
Ozone layer depletion can have some serious consequences on effects of human health, plants, marine ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles and earth’s environment. Let us see each one of these in detail.
Effect on health of humans
With depletion in ozone’s layer, we humans are more prone to UV rays that reaches the Earth’s surface. Studies suggests that high levels of UV Rays cause non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. Direct exposure to UV rays can lead to development of cataracts which clouds the eye’s lens.
Permanent exposure to UV rays can also lead to weakening of the response of immune system and even permanent damage to immune system in some cases.
Aging of skin is yet another problem that will make you look older than what you really are. Extensive exposure to UV rays can lead to acceleration of the aging process of your skin.
Effect on plants
Plants become another casualty by radiation effects of UV rays. The physiological and developmental processes of plants are also severely affected apart from the growth. Some other changes that are caused by UV inlcude the way plants form, timing of development and growth, how nutrients are distributied within the plant and metabolism, etc.
Effect on marine ecosystems
UV rays also have adverse effect on the marine ecosystems. It badly affects the planktons that form the
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Ozone layer depletion is caused by the release of green house gases like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and CFC(chlorofluorocarbons).
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