What is the impact of volcanic ash on the ozone layer. These gaseous pollutants react with the ozone to produce oxygen by which the net result is the depletion of ozone. Ozone layer depletion, its causes and its effects scribd. Unlike global warming, however, ozone depletion has actually been successfully controlled by international cooperation, perhaps providing a model for other efforts at global environmental protection. But even a healthy, thick ozone layer doesnt prevent all uvb from reaching the earth. Pdf ozone o 3 is a stratospheric layer that plays important role in providing. There are many situations where human activities have. Rivm report 481505011 technical report on stratospheric ozone. Layers of the atmosphere 45the suns utraviolet rays 68the ozone layer 9 3 4. The exposure to these radiations is severely affecting all life forms on earth. Photochemical processes are the principal causes of ozone depletion in the stratosphere. Pdf thinning of antarctic ozone layer during spring season has been observed since 1980s, largest depletion occurred during the period. Pdf causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on.
Essay ozone depletion is a serious problem presently facing the world. It is found largely in the stratosphere that extends from about 6 km at the poles and 17 km at the equator to about 50 km above the earths surface. The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere. The ozone layer is responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays, and preventing them from entering the earths atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion essay sample new york essays. Ozone depletion facts and information national geographic. Impacts of acidification and climate change are also combining to cause dra. What are the principal steps in stratospheric ozone depletion caused by human activities. What are the causes and effects of ozone depletion. Causes and effects of ozone layer depletion that are. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion. Ozone depletion potential an overview sciencedirect topics.
Ozone layer depletion cause, effects, and solutions. Factor of ozone depletion human activities in the last several decades have produced chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons cfcs. In fact, a major hole in the ozone layer above the antarctica skyline now threatens the continent badly. Ozone is an invisible, poisonous gas molecule o 3 that exists in trace minimal amounts in the stratosphere 630 miles above the earth.
These ashes contain high concentration of bromine and chlorine. The danger and prevention of ozone layer depletion. The latest ozone layer depletion news is included at the foot of the page. Pdf depletion of the ozone layer and its consequences. It is an essential factor for many global, biological and environmental phenomena. Although natural phenomena can cause temporary ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from manmade compounds such as cfcs are now accepted as the main cause of this. Found in industrial solvents, drycleaning agents and hospital sterilants. These chemicals are found in cleaning agents, aerosols, insulating foam, and refrigerants. As a result more solar uvb radiation 290320 nm reaches to the surface. Ozone depletion causes increases in uv rayss effects on aquatic ecosystems by. Its consequences, the causal debate, and international cooperation number 6 february 8, 1988 since the announcement of a thinning of the ozone layer over the antarctic by uk scientists in 1985, world attention has been focusing on the causes of this phenomenon.
All ozone depleting chemicals contain chlorine and bromine 10. As a result, there has been a general thinning of the ozone layer over most of the globe, including between five to nine per cent depletion over australia since the 1960s. Both come from the breaking down of chloroflourocarbons freons by photons in the atmosphere. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. Ashes can stay in the stratosphere for about two to five years, and within. You can find maps of the ozone layer and compare different regions of the globe for ozone coverage. This can be harmful to skin, and, thankfully, the ozone protects us from much of it. Chlorofluorocarbons ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is disturbed. It is revealed that introduction of chloroflourocarbons cfcs in the environment is the most rated cause of said depiction. Causes of ozone depletion there are two different types of ozone depletion, both are very similar. Causes of ozone layer depletion the main things that lead to destruction of the ozone gas in the ozone layer. These models work by combining satellite measurements of.
Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is disturbed. Layers of the atmospherethe atmosphere is divided into five layers. The fact sheet series is aimed at students involved in key stage 4 of the national. Ozone is destroyed in photochemical reactions with ozone depleting substances. Ozone depletion is primarily caused by human activities. The ozone layer is a region of the stratosphere containing ozone, or o3 gas.
The ozone layer prevents all uvc from reaching the earths surface. The causes, mechanism and bioeffects of ozone layer depletion on humans were addressed. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the ozone layer is the anticipated increase in. Ozone in the stratospherea layer of the atmosphere between 15 and 50. Stratospheric ozone layer depletion is one of them. The human released chlorofluorocarbons are the main and primary causes to destroy ozone layer. Ozone o3 is a stratospheric layer that plays important role in providing support to humans for their survival. The clo molecules combine with each other, forming a com. Ozone does not absorb uva light uvb between 280 and 320 nanometers. There is a substantial time lag between the time when ods emissions begin to decline and the point at which the ozone layer begins to recover. Causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on human. The so 2f 2 global background mixing ratio increased during recent decades and had reached about 1. When volcanoes erupt, they produce massive clouds of ashes into the troposphere, and then they drift upward into the stratosphere the upper atmosphere layer where ozone gas protects humans from uv radiation.
The ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, ozone depletion has been pinned down to one major human activity. Thus, ozone layer depletion has become a major concern among the environmentalists. How severe is the depletion of the antarctic ozone layer. The ozone layer and its depletion linkedin slideshare. Many of them can persist in the stratosphere for centuries. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about. The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in uvb rays reaching the earths surface causes. Ozone depletion, gradual thinning of earth s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. The main ozonedepleting substances ods chlorofluorocarbons cfcs the most widely used ods, accounting for over 80% of total stratospheric ozone depletion. There are plenty of causes and effects of ozone depletion, cfc emission being one. These chemicals combine with certain weather conditions to cause reactions in the ozone layer, leading to ozone molecules being destroyed. The ozone layer thus plays an important role by preventing the harmful uv radiations from penetrating into the earths lower atmosphere the troposphere. Ozone depletion describes two distinct but related phenomena observed since the late 1970s.
The ozone layer refers to a region of earths stratosphere that absorbs most of the suns uv radiation. There are important effects of changes in the intensity of solar uv radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion, particularly uvb. The ozone layer is important for blocking most of the harmful radiation that comes from the sun. The ozone layer is a belt of the naturallyoccuring gas ozone that sits at an altitude of between 15 and 30 kilometers above the earth. There are many causes for ozone depletion, but the most important process in both trends is catalytic destruction of ozone by atomic chlorine and bromine. Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction.
No one knows for certain how much more ozone depletion will occur. The ozone layer was discovered in 19 by the french physicists charles fabry and henri buisson. Unep environmental effects assessment panel, update 2017. The ozone layer protects us from excessive levels of harmful ultraviolet uv radiation. The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. Cause of ozone depletion the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere by the number of gaseous pollutants like nitric oxide no, nitrous oxide n 2 o, chlorine cl, chlorofluorocarbons cfcs etc. The ozone layer protects humans, animals, and plants from harmful ultraviolet rays. Protecting the ozone layer department of the environment. The concept of ozone depletion potential odp is widely used wuebbles et al.
It is thickestnear the surface and thins out with height until iteventually merges with space. Although natural phenomenon can cause ozone depletion but human activities such as cfcs are now accepted as major cause of depletion 9. Ozone layer depletion is simply the wearing out reduction of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. The thinning of the ozone layer has increased the risk that australians already face from overexposure to. The effect of atmospheric ozone depletion on environment. It contains high concentrations of ozone o3 relative to other parts of the atmosphere. Ozone o3 is present in 1 ppm in the upper stratosphere, and it absorbs virtually all of the uv radiation from the sun. Ozone depletion is allowing the uv radiation to earth surface. But through domestic and international action, the ozone layer is healing and should fully recover by about 2065. Ozone layer depletion causes, effects and solutions 7.
However, near the surface where we live and breathe, ozone is a harmful pollutant that causes. Industries that manufacture things like insulating foams, solvents, soaps, cooling things like air conditioners. Causes, effects and solutions of ozone layer depletion. Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s. Is there a difference in ozone coverage between different hemispheres. Fire extinguishers contain halons and methyl bromide in the form of pesticides can also be also a cause for the depletion. Yes, an international consensus about the causes and effects of ozone depletion has emerged. The first one has been a slow, but steady ozone depletion of 4% per decade of the earths.
Chlorofluorocarbons or the cfc are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. The main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below. Progress report 2003 united nations environment programme, environmental e. However, various factors have led to the depletion and damage of this protective layer. It takes years for cfcs and other ozonedepleting compounds to reach the stratosphere. Used as coolants in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners in buildings and cars manufactured before 1995. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole. The problems and causes associated with ozone depletion arise from human activities.
This website addresses stratospheric ozone issues, including the science of ozone depletion, epas regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, epa. Unlike pollution which has several causes, there is one specific chemical compound that is responsible for the breakdown of the ozone layer. The emission of ozone depleting substances has been damaging the ozone layer. Hii,the ozone in the ozone layer is being broken down by chlorine atoms from chlorofluorocarbon cfc molecules and bromine atoms from halons. There have been several concerns about ozone depletion. Depletion of ozone definition of depletion of ozone by. This uv radiation destroys dna and proteins in all living organisms. Twenty questions and answers about the ozone layer.
The initial step in the depletion of stratospheric ozone by human activities is the emission, at earths surface, of ozonedepleting gases containing chlorine and bromine. Cfcs and halons are produced by humans used in many applications such as refrigerants, anaesthetics, ae. Frequently asked questions about the ozone layer ozone. Learn more about the process, causes, and effects of ozone layer depletion. Environmental effects of ozone depletion, uv radiation and interactions with climate change. Find out what caused the ozone hole, and how the 1989 montreal protocol sought to put an end to ozone depletion. Solomon and albritton, 1992 as a measure of the effectiveness of a given compound in removing ozone, relative to a standard compound, which is taken to be cfc11. Money and time are being spent on ozone repair, but the problem still exists.
865 1537 793 146 1295 178 1299 1123 1543 1606 663 88 978 704 251 1427 1428 181 764 124 1218 1245 242 1391 1259 935 522 1499 357 1604 1106 378 1565 9 722 1483 35 1150 1440 1313 397 412 1383 1234 1436 573 1034 895