Tag: Ozone Layer depletion

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Ozone layer:

The majority of the UV light from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth’s stratosphere’s ozone layer, also known as the ozone shield. Compared to other areas of the atmosphere, it has a high concentration of ozone, yet it is still relatively low in comparison to other gases in the stratosphere.

Ozone Layer Depletion:

The high atmosphere’s ozone layer gets thinned due to ozone layer depletion. This occurs when ozone molecules come into touch with chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere and are broken down. Ozone molecules can be destroyed by one chlorine molecule. It doesn’t get made as quickly as it gets destroyed.

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion:

The ozone layer blocks harmful ultraviolet (UVB) light wavelengths from entering the Earth’s atmosphere. These wavelengths hurt plants and animals as well as cause skin cancer, sunburn, permanent blindness, and cataracts, all of which were predicted to sharply increase as a result of the weakening of the ozone layer.

Increased UV radiation reaching Earth as a result of ozone depletion may increase the incidence of skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system impairment. The most lethal form of skin cancer, melanoma, is thought to be on the rise as a result of excessive UV exposure.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion:

Mainly there are 5 types of causes for Ozone Layer Depletion.

They are:

1.Chlorofluoro Carbons.

2.Nitrogenous Compounds

3.Bromine Compounds

4.Natural Causes

5.Fossil fuels destroy the Ozone Layer

1.Chlorofluoro Carbons:

CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons, are to blame for the ozone layer’s thinning. The Ozone Layer helps block dangerous UV rays that would otherwise burn plants and cause skin cancer in people. Ozone molecules break down as a result of chemical processes brought on by CFCs, decreasing the amount of UV radiation that can be absorbed.

2.Nitrogenous Compounds:

Just above the region with the highest ozone concentrations, nitrogen oxides are the main cause of ozone depletion. As a result, NOx effectively destroys ozone . Because only around 10% of N2O is converted to NOx, compared to the CFCs’ potential contribution of all of their chlorine, the ODP of N2O is smaller than that of CFCs.

3.Bromine Compounds:

Loss of ozone. Ozone molecules are destroyed when chlorine and bromine atoms come into touch with them in the stratosphere. Until it is eliminated from the stratosphere, one chlorine atom can destroy more than 100,000 ozone molecules. More quickly than it is produced naturally, ozone can be destroyed.

4.Natural Causes:

It has been discovered that some natural processes, such solar flares and stratospheric winds, degrade the ozone layer. Yet, it only contributes to 1-2% of the ozone layer loss. The ozone layer is being destroyed due to volcanic eruptions as well.

5.Fossil Fuels destroy the Ozone:

The widespread usage of fossil fuels in daily life has brought about an era of ozone layer depletion and global warming. When burned, fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, natural gas, etc. release dangerous greenhouse gases like CO, CO2, SO2, NOx, etc.

Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion on Environment:

ncreased UV-B rays that reach the earth’s surface as a result of stratospheric ozone loss have the potential to disrupt biological processes and harm a variety of materials. The common sunburn that results from excessive sun exposure is a good example of how UV -B can have an impact on biological processes.

Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion on Plants:

More dangerous UV rays are penetrating Earth’s surface as a result of the ozone layer being destroyed. As radiation levels rise, plants are unable to swiftly adapt, which can have a negative impact on their physiological and developmental processes.

Effect of Ozone Layer Depletion on Animals:

Early developmental stages of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians, and other marine species have been discovered to be damaged by UVB light. Reduced fertility and hampered larval development are the most serious impacts.

Solutions for Ozone Layer Depletion:

1.Minimize the use of Vehicles

2.Use Eco-Friendly cleaning products

3.Pesticides should not be used

4.Ozone Depleting products Should not be used

5.Renewable sources of Energy.

6.Reuse and Recycle

1.Minimize the use of Vehicles:

The simplest method to stop ozone depletion is to minimise the number of cars on the road. Large amounts of greenhouse gases are released by these vehicles, which eventually condense into smog and contribute to the ozone layer’s thinning.

2.Use Eco-Friendly cleaning products:

The bulk of cleaning supplies for the home are made with harsh chemicals that leach into the air and thin the ozone layer. Use natural and environmentally friendly cleaning supplies to prevent this from happening.

3.Pesticides should not be used:

Pesticides are useful tools for managing weeds and pests on your farm, but they can dramatically harm the ozone layer. The most efficient technique to get rid of weeds and pests is with natural remedies. Simply hand-weed your farm and use environmentally safe pesticides as an option to combat pests.

4.Ozone Depleting products Should not be used:

When you go shopping, avoid purchasing products that contain chlorofluorocarbons in aerosol form. If the primary ingredient in your fire extinguishers is “halon” or “halogenated hydrocarbon,” check them out. Dispose of any outdated freezers and air conditioners that use chlorofluorocarbons. This could result in the discharge of toxic compounds into the atmosphere.

5.Renewable Sources of Energy:

In order to stop the destruction of the ozone layer, renewable energy sources must be used and developed. Fossil fuels like coal are a key source of electricity in addition to nuclear energy.

6.Reuse and Recycle:

We should also make an effort to reuse as many of our possessions as we can. We need to make sure they can be properly recycled if we stop using them. In this approach, we can lessen the demand on natural resources. As a result, we also prevent the harm that resource exploitation causes to the ecosystem.

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Can we fix our Ozone layer? The Montreal protocol

Imagine that one day our Ozone layer was disappeared. What will happen? How long can we survive without it?  The Ozone layer is a region of Earth’s atmosphere that contains a high concentration of Ozone (O3). Ozone is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is found in the lower portion of Earth’s atmosphere. It absorbs 97 to 99 percent of the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. Direct exposure to UV rays can cause serious skin problems including sun burn, skin cancer, premature ageing of the skin, solar elastosis. It can also cause eye problems and can ruin our immune system.

  The depletion of ozone layer was first observed by a Dutch chemist Paul crutzen. He described the Ozone depletion by demonstrating the reaction of nitrogen oxide with oxygen atoms which slowing the creation of Ozone (O3). Later in 1974, American chemists Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland observed that chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) molecules emitted by man-made machines like refrigerators, air conditioners and airplanes could be the major source of chlorine in the atmosphere. One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules.

Not all chlorine molecules contribute to ozone layer depletion; chlorine from swimming pool, sea salt, industrial plants, and volcanoes does not reach the stratosphere. The ozone hole in Antarctica is one of the largest and deepest depletion which was discovered by the British scientists. This became worldwide headlines after that. According to NASA scientist Paul Newman, if this depletion continues in this rate our ozone layer can be likely disappeared in 2065. If that happens UV rays from sun directly reach earth and cause severe health issues, Humans can last 3 months and plants may die in 2 weeks because of heavy UV radiation. Thus Earth will become inhabitable.

 Fortunately in 1987, Montreal protocol was made that bans chlorofluorocarbon and other chemicals that cause ozone depletion. Surprisingly it works, researches made in 2018 tells that the ozone layer is repairing itself at a rate of 1% to 3% per decade since 2000. Still it will take at least 50 years for complete recovery. The greenhouse effect allows the short wave radiation of sunlight to pass through the atmosphere to earth’s surface but makes it difficult for heat in the form of long wave radiation to escape. This effect blankets the earth and keeps our planet at a reasonable temperature to support life. Earth radiated energy, of which about 90 percent is absorbed by atmospheric gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, nitrous oxide, and others. Absorbed energy is radiated back to the surface and warms earth’s lower atmosphere.

The gases have come to be called greenhouse gases because they hold in light and heat, just as a greenhouse does for the sake of the plants inside. Greenhouse gases are essential to life, not only at an appropriate balance point. These gases increased during the 20th century due to industrial activity and fossil fuel emissions. For example, the concentration of carbon dioxide I the atmosphere have recently been growing by about 1.4 percent annually. This increase in greenhouse gases is one of the contributors to be observed patterns of global warming. On September 16th world ozone day, we can celebrate our success. But we must all push to keep hold of these gains, in particular by remaining vigilant and tackling any illegal sources of ozone depleting substances as they arise, says UN ozone-secretariat. So without the Montreal protocol, life on earth could be a question mark, so keep working hard. “OZONE FOR LIFE”.