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The document discusses the ozone layer, which is a layer in the stratosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is composed of ozone (O3) molecules and absorbs 97-99% of this radiation. The ozone layer is being depleted by man-made chemicals like CFCs that are released into the atmosphere. This depletion has increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface and harmed plant and animal life and increased human health risks like skin cancer. The largest ozone hole is observed annually over Antarctica during spring time.

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65 views

Tor (Magba)

The document discusses the ozone layer, which is a layer in the stratosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is composed of ozone (O3) molecules and absorbs 97-99% of this radiation. The ozone layer is being depleted by man-made chemicals like CFCs that are released into the atmosphere. This depletion has increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface and harmed plant and animal life and increased human health risks like skin cancer. The largest ozone hole is observed annually over Antarctica during spring time.

Uploaded by

Joseph Gratil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION

What is Ozone Layer?

Ozone layer is a deep layer in earth’s atmosphere that contains ozone which is a naturally
occurring molecule containing three oxygen atoms. These ozone molecules form a gaseous layer
in the Earth’s upper atmosphere called stratosphere. This lower region of stratosphere containing
relatively higher concentration of ozone is called Ozonosphere. The ozonosphere is found 15-35
km (9 to 22 miles) above the surface of the earth. The average concentration of ozone in the
atmosphere is around 0.6 parts per million. The thickness of the ozone layer differs as per season
and geography. The highest concentrations of ozone occur at altitudes from 26 to 28 km (16 to
17 miles) in the tropics and from 12 to 20 km (7 to 12 miles) towards the poles.

The ozone layer forms a thick layer in stratosphere, encircling the earth, which has large
amount of ozone in it. It protects our planet i.e. Earth from the harmful radiations that comes
from the sun. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Charles Fabry
and Henri Buisson. The ozone layer has the capability to absorb almost 97-99% of the harmful
ultraviolet radiations that sun emit and which can produce long term devastating effects on
humans beings as well as plants and animals.

Why Ozone Layer is Necessary?

An essential property of ozone molecule is its ability to block solar radiations of wavelengths
less than 290 nanometers from reaching Earth’s surface. In this process, it also absorbs
ultraviolet radiations that are dangerous for most living beings. UV radiation could injure or kill
life on Earth. Though the absorption of UV radiations warms the stratosphere but it is important
for life to flourish on planet Earth. Research scientists have anticipated disruption of susceptible
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to depletion of ozone layer.

Ultraviolet radiation could destroy the organic matter. Plants and plankton cannot thrive, both
acts as food for land and sea animals, respectively. For humans, excessive exposure to ultraviolet
radiation leads to higher risks of cancer (especially skin cancer) and cataracts. It is calculated that
every 1 percent decrease in ozone layer results in a 2-5 percent increase in the occurrence of skin
cancer. Other ill-effects of the reduction of protective ozone layer include – increase in the
incidence of cataracts, sunburns and suppression of the immune system.

Why is sun important to life on Earth?

On a daily basis, the sun radiates its energy toward Earth. One form of this energy is UltraViolet
radiation, also known as UV rays. Ultra Violet rays penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere at 3
slightly different wavelengths called UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays.
DISCUSSION

Ozone cycle overview

Three forms of oxygen are involved in the ozone-oxygen cycle: oxygen atoms (O or


atomic oxygen), oxygen gas (O2 or diatomic oxygen), and ozone gas (O3 or triatomic oxygen).
Ozone is formed in the stratosphere when oxygen molecules photodissociate after in taking an
ultraviolet photon whose wavelength is shorter than 240 nm. This converts a single O2 into two
atomic oxygen radicals. The atomic oxygen radicals then combine with separate O2 molecules to
create two O3 molecules. These ozone molecules absorb UV light between 310 and 200 nm,
following which ozone splits into a molecule of O2 and an oxygen atom.
The oxygen atom then joins up with an oxygen molecule to regenerate ozone. This is a
continuing process that terminates when an oxygen atom "recombines" with an ozone molecule
to make two O2 molecules. The overall amount of ozone in the stratosphere is determined by a
balance between photochemical production and recombination.

Ozone can be destroyed by a number of free radical catalysts, the most important of


which are the hydroxyl radical (OH·), nitric oxide radical (NO·), chlorine atom (Cl·)
and bromine atom (Br·). The dot is a common notation to indicate that all of these species have
an unpaired electron and are thus extremely reactive. All of these have both natural and man-
made sources; at the present time, most of the OH· and NO· in the stratosphere is of natural
origin, but human activity has dramatically increased the levels of chlorine and bromine. These
elements are found in certain stable organic compounds, especially chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
which may find their way to the stratosphere without being destroyed in the troposphere due to
their low reactivity. Once in the stratosphere, the Cl and Br atoms are liberated from the parent
compounds by the action of ultraviolet light, e.g.
CFCl
3 + electromagnetic radiation → Cl· + ·CFCl
2

The Cl and Br atoms can then destroy ozone molecules through a variety
of catalytic cycles. In the simplest example of such a cycle,[4] a chlorine atom reacts with an
ozone molecule, taking an oxygen atom with it (forming ClO) and leaving a normal oxygen
molecule. The chlorine monoxide (i.e., the ClO) can react with a second molecule of ozone
(i.e., O
3) to yield another chlorine atom and two molecules of oxygen. The chemical shorthand for these
gas-phase reactions is:
Cl· + O
3 → ClO + O
2: The chlorine atom changes an ozone molecule to ordinary oxygen
ClO + O
3 → Cl· + 2 O
2: The ClO from the previous reaction destroys a second ozone molecule and recreates the
original chlorine atom, which can repeat the first reaction and continue to destroy ozone.

The overall effect is a decrease in the amount of ozone, though the rate of these processes
can be decreased by the effects of null cycles. More complicated mechanisms have been
discovered that lead to ozone destruction in the lower stratosphere as well.
Location of hole
Some people thought that the ozone hole should be above the sources of CFCs. However, CFCs
are well mixed globally in the troposphere and stratosphere. The reason for occurrence of the
ozone hole above Antarctica is not because there are more CFCs concentrated but because the
low temperatures help form polar stratospheric clouds. In fact, there are findings of significant
and localized "ozone holes" above other parts of the earth.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion


During the last several decades, human activities have resulted in considerable reduction
in the ozone layer of the atmosphere. Ozone depletion occurs when destruction of the
stratospheric ozone is more than the production of the molecule. The scientists have observed
reduction in stratospheric ozone since early 1970s. It is found to be more prominent in Polar
Regions.

There are two regions in which the ozone layer has depleted:
 In the mid-latitude, for example, over Australia, ozone layer is thinned. This has led to
an increase in the UV radiation reaching the earth. It is estimated that about 5-9%
thickness of the ozone layer has decreased, increasing the risk of humans to over-
exposure to UV radiation owing to outdoor lifestyle.
 In atmospheric regions over Antarctica, ozone layer is significantly thinned, especially
in spring season. This has led to the formation of what is called ‘ozone hole’. Ozone
holes refer to the regions of severely reduced ozone layers. Usually ozone holes form
over the Poles during the onset of spring seasons. One of the largest such hole appears
annually over Antarctica between September and November.

Natural causes of depletion of ozone layer: Ozone layer has been found to be affected by
certain natural phenomena such as Sun-spots and stratospheric winds. But this has been found to
cause not more than 1-2% depletion of the ozone layer and the effects are also thought to be only
temporary. It is also believed that  the major volcanic eruptions (mainly El Chichon in 1983 and
and Mt. Pinatubo in 1991) has also contributed towards ozone depletion.

Man-made causes of depletion of ozone layer: The main cause for the depletion of ozone is
determined as excessive release of chlorine and bromine from man-made compounds such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, CH3CCl3 (Methyl
chloroform), CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride), HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons),
hydrobromofluorocarbons and methyl bromide are found to have direct impact on the depletion
of the ozone layer. These are categorized as ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
Chlorofluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere due to:
Cleaning Agents
Coolants in refrigerators
Packing material
Air conditioning
Aerosol spray cans etc.

How does ozone depletion affect global warming and ultimately climate change?
 As ozone levels in the stratosphere are depleted, more solar radiation penetrates the
Earth’s atmosphere.
 In turn, global warming actually results in a warming of the troposphere, but a cooling of
the stratosphere, hindering the ozone layer’s natural chemistry for repairs.

OZONE DEPLETION’S EFFECTS ON HUMAN BEINGS

Effects on Human Health

Over exposure may:


 Increase risk of non-melanoma and malignant melanoma skin cancer
 Higher risks of malignant melanoma from severe sunburns – especially in childhood

Non-malignant

Over Exposure

 Suppress immune system


 Accelerate aging of skin due high exposure
 Cause an outbreak of rash in fair skinned people due to photo allergy – can be
severe

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