Causes And Effects OF Chemical Reaction : Ozone Layer Depletion
Causes,
Effects and Solutions
Ozone Layer Depletion
Ozone layer depletion is one of the most serious problems
faced by our planet earth. It is also one of the prime reasons which are
leading to global warming. Ozone is a colourless gas which is found in the
stratosphere of our upper atmosphere. The layer of ozone gas is what which
protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun. The ozone layer
absorbs these harmful radiations and thus prevents these rays from entering the
earth’s atmosphere. Ultraviolet
radiations are high energy electromagnetic waves emitted by the sun which if
enters the earth’s atmosphere
can lead to various environmental issues including global warming, and also a
number of health related issues for all living organisms. Thanks to the ozone
layer which protects us from these harmful rays.
Ozone Depletion
From the 1970s the depletion of the ozone layer started to
capture the attention of the scientists, environmentalists, and the world
community at large. There had been a lot of research on this topic over these
years to find out all the possible causes that lead to this problem and the
effects of ozone depletion. There has been also a lot of research to find out
possible solutions to this problem. Let us see some of the important causes and
effects of ozone layer depletion
Causes of
ozone layer depletion
The main things that lead to destruction of the ozone gas in
the ozone layer. Low temperatures, increase in the level of chlorine and
bromine gases in the upper stratosphere are some of the reasons that leads to
ozone layer depletion. But the one and the most important reason for ozone
layer depletion is the production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
This is what which leads to almost 80 percent of the total ozone layer
depletion.
There are many other substances that lead to ozone layer
depletion such as hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). Such substances are found in vehicular emissions, by-products
of industrial processes, aerosols and refrigerants. All these ozone depleting
substances remain stable in the lower atmospheric region, but as they reach the
stratosphere, they get exposed to the ultra violet rays. This leads to their
breakdown and releasing of free chlorine atoms which reacts with the ozone gas,
thus leading to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects of ozone layer
depletion
Effects of ozone depletion on environment
Let us see a few possible effects of the ozone layer
depletion on the earth’s environment
and also on the plants and animals. The depletion of ozone layer allows
entering of UV rays from sun into the earth’s
atmosphere which is associated with a number of health related and
environmental issues. Let us see its major impacts on human beings
Skin Cancer: exposure to UV rays from sun can lead to
increased risk for developing of several types of skin cancers. Malignant
melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common cancers caused
by exposure to UV rays.
Eye Damage: UV rays are harmful for our eyes too. Direct
exposure to UV rays can lead to Cataract problems, and also Photokeratitis or
snow blindness.
Damage to Immune system: our immune system is also highly
vulnerable to UV rays. Increased exposure to UV rays can lead to weakening of
the response of immune system and even impairment of the immune system in
extreme cases.
Aging of skin: exposure to UV rays can lead to acceleration
of the aging process of your skin. This will result in you looking older than
what you actually are. It can also lead to photo allergy that result in
outbreak of rashes in fair skinned people
In humans, exposure to UV rays can also lead to difficulty
in breathing, chest pain, and throat irritation and can even lead to hampering
of lung function.
UV rays affect other life forms too. It adversely affects
the different species of amphibians and is one of the prime reasons for the
declining numbers of the amphibian species. It affects them in every stage of
their life cycle; from hampering the growth and development in the larvae
stage, deformities and decreases immunities in some species and to even retinal
damage and blindness in some species.
UV rays also have adverse effect on the marine ecosystem. It
adversely affects the planktons which plays a vital role in the food chain and
oceanic carbon cycle. Affecting
phytoplankton will in turn affect the whole ocean ecosystem.
UV rays will also affect the plants. UV radiations can alter
the time of flowering in some plant species. It can also directly affect the
plant growth by altering the physiological and developmental processes of the
plants.
Effect of ozone depletion on environment
Effects of ozone layer depletion
Ozone layer depletion leads to decrease in ozone in the
stratosphere and increase in ozone present in the lower atmosphere. Presence of
ozone in the lower atmosphere is considered as a pollutant and a greenhouse
gas. Ozone in the lower atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate
change. The depletion of ozone layer has trickle down effects in the form of
global warming, which in turn leads to melting of polar ice, which will lead to
rising sea levels and climatic changes around the world.
Ways to bring down ozone layer depletion
Ways to bring down ozone layer depletion
Ozone layer depletion is not something that affects any
specific country or region. The whole world is vulnerable to its after effects.
That makes it important for each and every one of us to take actions to reduce
ozone layer depletion. International agreements such as Montreal protocol in
1987 have helped in reducing and controlling industrial emission of
Chlofluorocarbons. More and more of such
international agreements between countries is necessary to bring down ozone layer
depletion. At individual level each and everyone also can contribute towards
reducing ozone layer depletion. Buying and using recycled products, saving of
energy, using of public transport can do a lot in combating ozone layer
depletion. The most important thing that we can do is spreading awareness. Our
individual efforts will go a long way in saving the earth’s blanket and keep our planet earth liveable for us
and our future generations.
Description
The ozone layer is what saves the Earth and the living
organisms from the harmful radiations of the sun. It is necessary to understand
its importance and work to control the depletion of this layer.
how we can prevent it? give your argument
BalasHapusThanks for visit and comment via. We can prevent from Save electricity, reduce vehicle smoke pollution, reforestation, etc.
HapusIs there possibly positive effect of Ozone Layer Depletion?
BalasHapusThanks for respon. I think no, cause ozone layer depletion just give the negative impect for themperature, ecosystem, and destroyed the balence world
HapusHow CFCs destruction ozon slayer?
BalasHapusCFCs are stable compounds, difficult to react, but because they are air-borne CFCs can rise freely into the stratosphere and destroy the ozone layer. Ozone reacts with chlorine compounds such as CFCl3 (in aerosols), CF2Cl2 (on coolant), etc. Reacting ozone gas with chlorine compounds resulting from this human activity can attenuate, even depleting ozone in the stratosphere. Sunlight describes chlorine compounds into chlorine atoms that will act as catalysts or accelerate reactions in the ozone decomposition reaction.
Hapus
BalasHapusHi hudia. what the effect of chemical chemistry for our life?
The effect are posotive and negative. Positive cause help the human, and negative cause chemical gave the environmental damage
HapusHi hud, What is the different depletion of the ozone layer with global warming? Please explain
BalasHapus
BalasHapusGlobal warming and ozone layer depletion are two different problems (see the sidebar “Misconceptions about Global Atmospheric Change” on page 95). Global warming is caused by the “greenhouse effect,” which is essential to life as we know it on planet Earth. Electromagnetic energy coming from the sun is absorbed by the Earth, which radiates some of this energy outward as infrared energy (heat). Some of this infrared energy escapes into space, but much of it is absorbed by “greenhouse gases” in the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) and is radiated back to the Earth as heat energy.
Depletion of the Ozone Layer
An ozone molecule (O3) is composed of three atoms of oxygen. Ozone in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere) is referred to as the “ozone layer” and protects life on Earth by absorbing most of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun. Exposure to too much UV radiation is linked to skin cancer, cataracts, and depression of the immune system, and may reduce the productivity of certain crops. Accordingly, stratospheric ozone is known as “good ozone.” In contrast, human industry creates “ozone pollution” at the ground level. This “bad ozone” is a principal component of smog. The ozone layer is reduced when man-made CFC molecules (comprised of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon) reach the stratosphere and are broken apart by short-wave energy from the sun. Free chlorine atoms then break apart molecules of ozone, creating a hole in the ozone layer
what is ozone depletion?
BalasHapus
HapusThe main things that lead to destruction of the ozone gas in the ozone layer. Low temperatures, increase in the level of chlorine and bromine gases in the upper stratosphere are some of the reasons that leads to ozone layer depletion. But the one and the most important reason for ozone layer depletion is the production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This is what which leads to almost 80 percent of the total ozone layer depletion.