The ozone layer protects living things from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ozone layer depletion ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earths ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due tho release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities. Ozone o 3 depletion does not cause global warming, but both of these environmental problems have a common cause. Jul 16, 2008 the moon hovering over earths atmosphere. The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere, about 20 to 30 km 12 to 19 miles above the earth, though the thickness varies seasonally and geographically. It has been found that this protective ozone layer is getting depleted because of the presence of cfc chlorofluorocarbon compounds. These gaseous pollutants react with the ozone to produce oxygen by which the net result is the depletion of ozone. There are many causes for ozone depletion, but the most important process in both trends is catalytic destruction of ozone by atomic chlorine and. A combination of low temperatures, elevated chlorine, and bromine concentrations in the upper stratosphere are responsible for the destruction of ozone. Causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on human.
Uvc during the antarctic spring causes deleterious effects. Environmental studies ozone depletion tutorialspoint. Ozone depletion atmospheric ozone layer depletion is a serious problem currently facing the world. Soils have recently been identified as a significant sink of. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole. Let us see some of the important causes and effects of ozone layer depletion. 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. Protection against depletion of stratospheric ozone by chlorofluorocarbons. Causes and effects of ozone layer depletion that are. The montreal protocol is an international agreement to address the causes of ozone depletion. In addition, the sources of ozone depleting substances and the mechanism of ozone depletion have been. The ozone layer was discovered in 19 by the french physicists charles fabry and henri buisson.
This timeline highlights the average area of the ozone hole between september 7th and october th as observed by nasa spacedbased instruments see colored bars and scale. It contains high concentrations of ozone o3 relative to other parts of the atmosphere. Effects of ozone depletion ozone depletion is affecting the human health and environment negatively, as it allows the penetration of uv radiations to reach the earth. Thus, ozone layer depletion has become a major concern among the environmentalists. Global warming is caused primarily by putting too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when coal, oil, and. Much larger decrease in stratospheric ozone is observed around earths polar regions. Global warming is caused by the greenhouse effect, which is essential to life as we know it on planet earth. Causes of ozone depletion production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons cfcs ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen o 3, found in the earths atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons or the cfc are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. Money and time are being spent on ozone repair, but the problem still exists. The creation and destruction of the ozone molecules happens continuously.
In the following, the causes, effects and also solutions to. Ozone layer depletion is the destruction of ozone gas of upper atmospheric layer stratosphere, caused by substances formed from breakdown of ozonedepleting substances ods. Pdf on jan 1, 2001, md safiuddin and others published global ozone depletion. Ozone layer depletion, its causes and its effects free download as powerpoint presentation.
What emissions from human activities lead to ozone depletion. What are the causes and effects of ozone depletion. There are many situations where human activities have. Ozone layer depletion definition, causes, solutions toppr. Ozone layer is a layer in the earths atmosphere which contains relatively high concentration of ozone. It is present in traces less than 1 ppm in the atmosphere. 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. The main things that lead to destruction of the ozone gas in the ozone layer. Ozone layer depletion is one of the major environmental issues which is getting thinner day by day as a result of increasing pollution. The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. Ozone is a form of oxygen that is present in the earths atmosphere in small quantity. Another major cause of large scale ozone depletion is rocket launches. Ozone is a form of oxygen whose molecule has three atoms, instead of two common oxygen. Ozone layer depletion, its causes and its effects ozone.
Ozone layer depletion cause, effects, and solutions. Ozone gas is perceptibly blue in colour and has a characteristic pungent smell. It is found that the ozone layer gets affected by some natural causes that are sunspots and stratospheric winds. That study, however, suffers from the common limitation of present generation global climate models. Pscs form in the ozone layer during winters in the arctic and antarctic stratospheres wherever. 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. Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. Methyl bromide is the single largest contributor of stratospheric br and an important contributor to stratospheric ozone depletion. Ozone depletion causes increases in uv rayss effects on aquatic ecosystems by. Although natural phenomenon can cause ozone depletion but human activities such as cfcs are now accepted as major cause of depletion 9. Ozone depletion facts and information national geographic. Jan 20, 2010 this yearly occurrence is called the ozone hole. Ozone layer depletion causes, effects and solutions 7.
Ozonedepleting substances are compared in their effectiveness to destroy stratospheric ozone using the ozone depletion potential odp, as listed in table q71 see q18. But through domestic and international action, the ozone layer is healing and should fully recover by about 2065. Let us have a detailed look at the various causes and effects of ozone layer depletion. The ozone layer protects humans, animals, and plants from harmful ultraviolet rays. Frequently asked questions about the ozone layer ozone. Humans have introduced gases and chemicals into the atmosphere that have rapidly depleted the ozone layer in the last century. Certain industrial processes and consumer products result in the emission of halogen source gases to the atmosphere. 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. The third atom is what causes the gas we breathe is poisonous. Ozone layer and causes, effects and solutions to ozone. The ozone hole and global warming union of concerned. What emissions from human activities lead to ozone. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. Its presence in the lower atmosphere closer to earth contributes to air pollution and causes damage to human tissues.
The latest ozone layer depletion news is included at the foot of the page. Human activities cause ozone depletion and global warming. The thinning or reduction of ozone depletion is most prominent in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. The ozone depletion process the discovery of the antarctic ozone hole the first decreases in antarctic total ozone were observed in the early 1980s over research stations located on the antarctic continent. Jan 07, 2016 ozone hole ozone depletion at south pole polar vortex and ozone depletion are two distinct but related phenomena. Pdf causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on.
Essay on ozone depletion and the environment 1505 words 7 pages. Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s. This is the cause for the nearly 80% of the ozone depletion. These radiations can cause severe diseases in humans such as skin cancer, eye damage and genetic mutations etc 9. Causes of ozone depletion in the stratosphere studies have argued that the influence of 7,500 tons of chlorine from cfc amounting annually to the stratosphere is minimal compared to 600 million tons of chlorine and fluorine other aggressive gas like salts escaping oceans as aerosols. This website addresses stratospheric ozone issues, including the science of ozone depletion, epas regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, epa. Project report on ozone depletion environmental pollution. These chemicals are found in cleaning agents, aerosols, insulating foam, and refrigerants. Global warming and ozone layer depletion are two different problems see the sidebar misconceptions about global atmospheric change on page 95. Apr 22, 2020 the thinning or reduction of ozone depletion is most prominent in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. Ozone depletion and the environment there is overwhelming scientific evidence that manmade chemicals are destroying the ozone layer nobel prizes have already been awarded for the research. When cfc is released into the atmosphere, they mix with atmospheric.
Ozone depletion is allowing the uv radiation to earth surface. Chlorofluorocarbons ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is disturbed. Causes of ozone depletion ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. The severe depletion of the ozone layer in any particular area is called ozone hole. These gases bring chlorine and bromine to the stratosphere, which cause depletion of the ozone layer. The measurements were made with groundbased dobson spectrophotometers see box in q5. Ozone depletion is the process of destruction of the ozone layer which can cause adverse effects on the living forms by many pollutants releases out from the vehicles, industries etc. However, these cause a very nominal contribution to the ozone layer depletion which is near about 1 to 2 percent and therefore these. Apr 18, 2019 the ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone depletion can be a serious problem to the environmental system since it has many adverse effects on our planet. Nitrogen system can be explained by taking an example of nitrous oxide n 2 o. Ozone depletion refers to the wearing out or reduction of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Why global mean surface temperatures began to rise around 1970 after having been relatively constant since 1945. Find out what caused the ozone hole, and how the 1989 montreal protocol sought to put an end to ozone depletion. 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. Find answers to frequently asked questions about the ozone layer, ozone depletion, and the effects of ozone depletion on health and the environment. The ozonedepletion theory of global warming provides, for the first time, a clear, straightforward explanation for observations not easily explained by greenhousegas theory. Ozone is unstable and decomposes to molecular oxygen. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion.
One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. Although natural phenomenon can cause ozone depletion but. By doing so a part of the oxygen molecules undergo dissociation and then atomic oxygen gets associated with the oxygen molecule to give 5%10% of the allotropic form of oxygen. The ozone layer thus plays an important role by preventing the harmful uv radiations from penetrating into the earths lower atmosphere the troposphere. This allotropic form of oxygen is formed by passing dry oxygen through a salient electric current. A gas with a larger odp has a greater potential to destroy ozone over its.
The causes, mechanism and bioeffects of ozone layer depletion on humans were addressed. It is an essential factor for many global, biological and environmental phenomena. Ozone o3 is a stratospheric layer that plays important role in providing support to humans for their survival. Generally, we find thinning or depletion of the ozone layer to the extent of ozone hole creation over the southern pole i. The main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below. Causes, effects and solutions of ozone layer depletion. Ozone hole ozone depletion at south pole polar vortex and ozone depletion are two distinct but related phenomena. There have been several concerns about ozone depletion. The depletion of the ozone describes two closely related but distinct phenomena which have been repeatedly observed since the latter 1970s. The ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the ozone layer is the anticipated increase in. The ozone layer refers to a region of earths stratosphere that absorbs most of the suns uv radiation. Mar 21, 2020 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.
Ozone depletion is largely a result of manmade substances. The ozone hole and global warming union of concerned scientists. Fire extinguishers contain halons and methyl bromide in the form of pesticides can also be also a cause for the depletion. This depletion makes humans more vulnerable to the uvb rays which are known to cause skin cancer as well as other genetic deformities. The ozone layer plays an ultimately significant role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation that are hazardous to living creatures on the earth.
Ozone depleting substances are those substances which deplete the ozone layer. However, various factors have led to the depletion and damage of this protective layer. It was first identified in 1970s due to the advent of supersonic aircraft, which fly in the lower stratosphere and emit nitrogen oxides. The problems and causes associated with ozone depletion arise from human activities. Unlike pollution which has several causes, there is one specific chemical compound that is responsible for the breakdown of the ozone layer. It is revealed that introduction of chloroflourocarbons cfcs in the environment is the most rated cause of said depiction. What is an ozone hole and causes and effects of ozone. A dynamic equilibrium is maintained between the formation and decomposition of ozone. The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in uvb rays reaching the earths surface causes. Yes, an international consensus about the causes and effects of ozone depletion has emerged. There is a steady decline of about 4% in the total volume of ozone in earths stratosphere.
The ozone layer is responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays, and preventing them from entering the earths atmosphere. The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere. Ozone depletion is primarily caused by human activities. Learn more about the process, causes, and effects of ozone layer depletion.
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