Humans have introduced gases and chemicals into the atmosphere that have rapidly depleted the ozone layer in the last century. 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. The the causes and effects of global ozone depletion have been illuminated in this paper. The ozone layer refers to a region of earths stratosphere that absorbs most of the suns uv radiation. It forms a natural belt or shield in the upper atmosphere at 20 km to 30 km above earth, also called stratosphere. In the late 1990s, average ozone depletion in the summer over canada was between 3% and 7%. Protecting the ozone layer while also preventing climate change. Vivert1448 priyanka n jeevan 1446 1453 rekha 1445 shabnam 1447. It contains high concentrations of ozone o3 relative to other parts of the atmosphere. Ozone depletion is allowing the uv radiation to earth surface. Although ozone is present in small concentrations throughout the atmosphere, most around 90% exists in the stratosphere, a layer 10 to 50 kilometres above the earths surface. Stratospheric ozone protection awards since 1990, epa has recognized outstanding achievement in ozone layer protection. Ozone layer depletion is one of the most serious problems faced by our planet earth. Ozone depleting substances are the substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, hydrofluorocarbons, etc.
Ozone layer depletion the emission of ods account for roughly 90% of total depletion of ozone layer in stratosphere. But even a healthy, thick ozone layer doesnt prevent all uvb from reaching the earth. There are still a lot of cfcs in the stratosphere and will be for many decades to come. Vienna convention for the protection of the ozone layer. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. Ozone layer protection environmental protection department.
Find out what caused the ozone hole, and how the 1989 montreal protocol sought to put an end to ozone depletion. Ozone layer depletion causes increased uv radiation levels at the earths surface, which is damaging to human health. Ozone layer depletion causes, effects and solutions 7. The american cancer society cites uv radiation as the primary cause of skin cancer source. The ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. As a result the total amount of ozone remains constant. Ozone depletion, ozone hole, ultraviolet radiation. Ozone layer depletion and its control measures zilwach. The vienna convention for the protection of the ozone layer is a multilateral environmental agreement signed in 1985 that provided frameworks for international reductions in the production of chlorofluorocarbons due to their contribution to the destruction of the ozone layer, resulting in an increased threat of skin cancer.
Ozone layer depletion causes and effects of ozone layer. Ozone layer depletion, its causes, effects and control. Hence, cfcs are transporting agents that are responsible for damaging the ozone layer. However, the ozone layer is destroyed by manmade chemicals known as ozonedepleting substances ods. What is important to keep in mind is the fact that prevention of ozone layer depletion is so very important because it directly affects the well being of the people. It allows only the required doses of the suns solar energy to reach the earths surface. Apr 18, 2019 the ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Depletion of stratospheric ozone o3, as commonly known as the hole in the ozone layer, is an issue of international concern. No one knows for certain how much more ozone depletion will occur. Instruments on the ground and on satellites, balloons, and aircraft.
Concentrations of ozonedepleting substances are expected to decline over the coming century, bringing a gradual. Exposure to ozone may cause headaches, coughing, dry throat, shortness of breath, a heavy feeling in chest, and fluid in the lungs. There are natural processes that create and destroy ozone in the stratosphere. This can be harmful to skin, and, thankfully, the ozone protects us from much of it. 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. The earth is protected from excessive ultraviolet rays. The ozone layer is mainly found in the lower portion of the stratosphere. The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in uvb rays reaching the earths surface causes.
Uv radiation also affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, altering growth, food chains and biochemical cycles. As a result of its chemical composition, ozone is regarded as a special type of oxygen as it contains three oxygen molecules o3 as opposed to the usual two oxygen molecules o2. Ozone layer and its depletion ozone it is an allotrope of oxygen, having 3 atoms of oxygen. Why the ozone layer is vital to life on earth the ozone layer is a protective shield that blocks the suns harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the earths surface. Life is protected from uv rays by stratospheric ozone layer which acts as a shield or sun screen 2. Various anthropogenic activities such as emissions of cfcs, hcfcs. Uv radiation also affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, altering growth. Nearly 500 organizations, teams, and individuals from 40 countries have received stratospheric ozone protection awards for their exceptional leadership, personal dedication, and technical achievements. Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s. In fact whole world is vulnerable to its after affects. Measures have been taken by various countries to phase down the use of cfcs, as well as other ozone depleting chemicals such as halons and other manmade halocarbons. One of the easiest ways to reduce damages caused to the ozone layer is by limiting the use of vehicles.
Although its a hole in the ozone layer that we like to talk about, there have been decreases in stratospheric ozone over populated regions in. The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in uvb rays reaching the earths surface. It is revealed that introduction of chloroflourocarbons cfcs in the environment is the most rated cause of said depiction. It is an essential factor for many global, biological and environmental phenomena. 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. Ozone depletion is primarily caused by human activities. Daytoday activities that may help reduce the effects of excess solar radiation include. The depletion of the ozone layer has thus resulted in the birth of a fear in everybodys minds. The emission of ozone depleting substances has been damaging the ozone layer. Ozone depletion in canada is usually greatest in the late winter and early spring. Cfcs, hcfcs, halons, methyl bromide, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. 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 over southern canada has thinned by an average of about 7% since the 1980s. The danger and prevention of ozone layer depletion. The ozone layer protects the surface of the earth and its phenomena from stray rays from the sun. May 30, 2017 as the eruption of mount pinatubo proved in 1991, natural eruptions can have a dramatic negative effect on the manmade ozone layer depletion chemicals that are in the atmosphere. The ozone layer was discovered in 19 by the french physicists charles fabry and henri buisson. Ozone is a colourless gas which is found in the stratosphere of our upper atmosphere. The first report of depletion in o 3 layer came out in the 1980s by an atmospheric scientist in antarctica. Most ozone is found in the stratosphere upper part of the atmosphere, more than 10 to 16 kms from the surface of the earth. The natural distribution of ozone around the earth is.
Ozone layer is also naturally broken down but there is a balance between its formation and natural depletion. Causes, effects and solutions of ozone layer depletion. Ozone layer depletion quiz hvac certification practice tests. Ozone and environment ozone o3 a gas composed of three atoms of oxygen bluish gas that is harmful to breathe nearly 90% of the earths ozone is in the stratosphere and is referred to as the ozone layer ozone absorbs a band of ultraviolet radiation called uvb ozonedepleting substances ods. When this breakdown of the ozone layer occurs, the earth stands more vulnerable as it. Ozone o3 is a stratospheric layer that plays important role in providing support to humans for their survival. Ozone layer depletion, its causes, effects and control measures. Ozone depletion over india with so much worry about the rapid ozone depletion taking place in various parts of the earth, indian scientists are closely monitoring the ozone layer over india for possible depletion trends. Ozone layer depletion and its prevention from theory to. Many of them can persist in the stratosphere for centuries. Man has tried hard to deploy protective measures towards controlling the ozone layer from depletion,but this is so. How to prevent ozone depletion and what would happen if we.
Ozone layer is a thin blanketlike layer that spreads over the atmosphere of the earth. Here are five ways in which we can contribute to protecting the ozone layer and our precious earth and how to prevent ozone depletion. The main reasons of this depletion are the release of organohalogen compounds like chlorofluorocarbons and bromofluorocarbons. The ozone layer is a natural layer of gas in the upper atmosphere that protects humans and other living things from harmful ultraviolet uv radiation from the sun. What we all need to understand is the idea that we all are going to have to face the repercussions of ozone layer depletion. Causes of ozone depletion there are two different types of ozone depletion, both are very similar. Pdf causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on. This, in turn, will lead to the breakdown of ozone. Negative effects include increases in certain types of skin cancers, eye cataracts and immune deficiency disorders. What are the causes and effects of ozone depletion.
This website addresses stratospheric ozone issues, including the science of ozone depletion, epas regulatory approach to protecting the ozone layer, epa. Causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on human. It takes years for cfcs and other ozonedepleting compounds to reach the stratosphere. Ozone and chlorine monoxide clo, for example, have been observed extensively with a variety of instruments. Ozone does not absorb uva light uvb between 280 and 320 nanometers. We often think of ozone layer depletion as a modern problem, but it is something that started well before the 1970s. The layer of ozone gas is what which protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.
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. These gases are carried to the stratosphere layer of atmosphere where. The ozone layer prevents all uvc from reaching the earths surface. When highenergy ultraviolet rays uvc strike an oxygen. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole.
The ozone layer is a deep blanket in the stratosphere made up of comparatively high concentration of the ozone. How to prevent ozone depletion and what would happen if. Ozone depletion and climate change environment canada. Ozone layer depletion penn state college of earth and. The ozonedepletion prevention the ozone layer forms a most important part of the earths stratosphere as it can absorb most of the uv radiation and prevent it from reaching the surface of the earth. May 03, 2017 prevention of ozone layer depletion effects. Ozone layer depletion is one of the major environmental issues which is getting thinner day by day as a result of increasing pollution. Higher levels of exposure can lead to more severe symptoms.
The proteins cells in plants undergo harmful mutations, all due to ultraviolet radiations. Clo is a highly reactive gas that is involved in catalytic ozone destruction cycles throughout the stratosphere see q9. Effects and measures to protect ozone layer depletion. 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. Protecting the ozone layer department of the environment. Jstor is a digital library of academic journals, books, and primary sources. This is because vehicular emissions eventually result in the release of smog. This ozone layer sustains life on the earth by absorbing a great deal of uv ultra violet light radiating out of sun.
Depletion to ozone layer depletion does not affect a region or a country. Ozone layer the ozone layer is basically naturally occurring gas in the region of stratosphere where ozone particles are accumulated 2. But through domestic and international action, the ozone layer is healing and should fully recover by about 2065. These chemicals are found in cleaning agents, aerosols, insulating foam, and refrigerants. Another most feared aspect of pollution is depletion of ozone layer of the stratosphere.
Sep 30, 2019 ozone depletion is largely a result of manmade substances. Pdf causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on human. Ozone depleting substances ods are synthetic chemicals, which were used around. It shields the entire earth frommuch of the harmful uv radiationthat comes from the sun 3. It is also one of the prime reasons which are leading to global warming. Even with the ozone layer, uva and especially uvb light can penetrate it to cause these health problems for humans. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion.
Ozone layer depletion cause, effects, and solutions. Following is the list of some of the main ozone depleting substances and the sources from where they are released. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over antarctica. The evaporation of surface water through the stomata of leaves increases, which results in the decreased moisture content of the soil. The exposure to these radiations is severely affecting all life forms on earth. The first one has been a slow, but steady ozone depletion of 4% per decade of the earths. Ozone layer depletion the ozone with chemical formula o 3 is a molecule composed of three atoms of oxygen, reason why it is also known as trioxygen. The increase in the levels of uv rays lead to high rate of skin cancer and eye related problems. Ozone depletion is largely a result of manmade substances. The latest ozone layer depletion news is included at the foot of the page.
The causes, mechanism and bioeffects of ozone layer depletion on humans were addressed. When uv light damages dna, it impairs its ability to control skin growth. Protecting the ozone layer and reducing global warming undp. The danger and prevention of ozone layer depletion humans cause ozone depletion with air conditioners and refrigerators, of all things.
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