Effects Of Ozone Depletion

Ozone Layer Depletion In the 21st century, some major issues have emerged along with the advancement of science and technology, ozone layer depletion is one of them. Ozone layer depletion has become a worldwide concern due to the rapid deterioration of the volume of the ozone layer, also for the increasing threat to all living organism and their functions. Increasing uses of CFCs and halocarbons have led to an emergence of various health issues and environmental problems which are in some cases fatal. Our planet earth is surrounded by a blanket of gases called atmosphere that sticks to the ground due to gravity. It is made of various gases, among them ozone is a vital one.

The ozone’s essential duty is to protect society from harmful ultraviolet rays by acting as a filter. The ozone is a layer in the middle of the stratosphere that protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. The ozone layer acts as a shield and prevents the sun’s deadly ultraviolet rays from penetrating to the surface of the earth. The ozone layer protects humans in ways that are difficult to predict The main reason that the ozone is depleting is because of the very nature of human activity. The ozone is being destroyed by chlorofluorocarbons.

The Ozone layer is depleting due to man made chemicals we use everyday; this depletion causes an increase in the risk of someone developing skin cancer, and is potentially life-threatening. The ozone layer is a gas that protects the earth from the dangerous UV rays emitted from the sun. (Freedman, page 2934) Due to man made chemicals, the ozone layer is depleting which causes many problems for sustainable life on earth. The rays entering the earth’s stratosphere without the ozone layer will cause damage to many things, such as someone’s eyes or immune system, aquatic life, or plants. Another one of the consequences of ozone layer depletion is that it will cause an increase in the risk of developing skin cancer.

The Effect of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion on Aquatic Ecosystems Introduction Throughout the years, advances in technology and scientific development have greatly influenced our global community. Various anthropogenic factors, such as the increased combustion of fossil fuels and widespread usage of manmade chemicals, have greatly affected the planet's atmosphere and it's ozone layer. Ozone Depletion The stratospheric ozone layer is the Earth's natural means of protection from the Sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Some of the chemicals most harmful to the ozone layer are chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. These compounds are chemically inert gasses that, when introduced to the stratosphere, speed up the depletion of the ozone layer.

The ozone layer is essential to both plant and animal life on earth because it protects the surface from dangerous ultraviolet light. However, industrial and domestic chemicals that are currently in use have been found to destroy ozone, and the problem has escalated to an ozone layer "hole" above Antarctica. Ozone levels there are 40 percent below normal, and there may be another ozone hole forming above the Arctic region.1 Ozone gas contains an extraneous oxygen atom in each molecule and is highly unstable. This property lets ozone block out ultraviolet rays and makes it an essential part of the eco-system. When harmful ultraviolet-B rays (wavelength 240-320 NM) come through the atmosphere, the O3 molecules absorb the energy and one oxygen atom detaches from the molecule.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer The atmospheric ozone layer protects all living things from the harmful effects of the Sun. In recent years however, much damage has been caused to the ozone layer, causing it to decrease in size. The depletion of the ozone layer has and will continue to have many detrimental effects on all living things on this planet. A thinner layer will allow more of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth’s surface. In particular, it will be the increase of UV-B rays which will have the most negative side effects.

At ground level, though, high concentrations of ozone can be harmful. The Ozone Layer Ozone gas forms a layer all around the earth high in the stratosphere. It serves as a vital and effective protective barrier from the sun's ultraviolet rays. In recent years, scientists have sounded alarms internationally about the depletion of the ozone layer, citing chemical pollution as the major cause. A specific class of chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are most often identified as ozone destroyers.

The dangerous and major problem the environment facing today is “pollution”. It is a chemical and biological change, causing problems to all living beings on earth. These problems is created by man-made decreasing the lifespan of humans, animals and plant life. People should understand the importance of ecosystem which protects and being healthy. The three main pollutions caused by mankind: Air, water and soil.

Greenhouse gases are gases that contribute to absorbing infrared radiation, carbon dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbon. There is a theory that the climate change is occurring and that human activities could be the primary driver. Many people around the world are aiding in the destruction of our ozone layer. Human activities such as polluting the air with toxins and gases from industrial facilities and motor vehicles among other things are causing our ozone layer to weaken, these issues and other problems are leading to the depletion of our ozone layer. Ozone depletion is becoming a widespread concern because it effects all living things on earth.

The ozone layer is situated in the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere. It is important to the on-going stability of life on Earth as it prevents harmful UV-B radiation from reaching the troposphere (i.e. the layer of atmosphere that we live in). Were this radiation to reach us in large quantities, it could mutate the DNA in our cells and have fatal results. It is thanks to the ozone layer that this doesn’t happen, but a hole has formed in the ozone layer over Antarctica which could affect us severely.