what would happen if ozone were to disappear from the upper atmosphere?
Ozone Layer Definition
"The ozone layer is a region in the world'due south stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the dominicus."
What is Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the world's atmosphere. It has the potential to blot around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can harm life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent-minded, millions of people would develop skin diseases and may have weakened immune systems.
However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctica. This has focussed their business on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Let usa have a detailed look at the various causes and furnishings of ozone layer depletion.
Ozone Layer Depletion
"Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the world's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of chemic compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human being activities."
What is Ozone Layer Depletion?
Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly than information technology is created.
Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet calorie-free, which then contributes to the ozone layer depletion. Such compounds are known equally Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
The ozone-depleting substances that incorporate chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the ozone-depleting substances that comprise bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro bromofluorocarbons.
Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is just when the chlorine atom reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.
Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the employ, product and import of ozone-depleting substances and minimise their concentration in the atmosphere to protect the ozone layer of the earth.
Besides Read:Environmental Issues
Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion
The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The main causes responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:
Chlorofluorocarbons
Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main crusade of ozone layer depletion. These are released by solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken downwards by the ultraviolet radiations and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.
Unregulated Rocket Launches
Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets result in much more than depletion of ozone layer than the CFCs do. If non controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer by the year 2050.
Nitrogenous Compounds
The nitrogenous compounds such every bit NO2, NO, North2O are highly responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
Natural Causes
The ozone layer has been constitute to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots and stratospheric winds. But it does non cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.
The volcanic eruptions are likewise responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
"Ozone depleting substances are the substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, hydrofluorocarbons, etc. that are responsible for the depletion of ozone layer."
Following is the list of some primary ozone-depleting substances and the sources from where they are released:
| Ozone-Depleting Substances | Sources |
| Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) | Refrigerators, air-conditioners, solvents, dry-cleaning agents, etc. |
| Halons | Burn down-extinguishers |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Fire extinguishers, solvents |
| Methyl chloroform | Adhesives, aerosols |
| Hydrofluorocarbons | burn down extinguishers, air-conditioners, solvents |
Also Read:Global Warming
Effects Of Ozone Layer Depletion
The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let u.s.a. see the major effects of ozone layer depletion on human and environment.
Effects on Human being Health
The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the lord's day due to the depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health problems amongst humans, such as pare diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and weak immune organisation.
Effects on Animals
Straight exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.
Furnishings on the Surround
Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.
Effects on Marine Life
Planktons are profoundly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms nowadays in the food chain are also affected.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion
The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and diverse programmes have been launched past the government of diverse countries to prevent it. However, steps should be taken at the individual level as well to preclude the depletion of the ozone layer.
Post-obit are some points that would aid in preventing this problem at a global level:
Avoid Using ODS
Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g. avoid the use of CFCs in refrigerators and air conditioners, replacing the halon based burn extinguishers, etc.
Minimise the Use of Vehicles
The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming as well every bit ozone depletion. Therefore, the utilize of vehicles should be minimised every bit much as possible.
Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
Nearly of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing chemicals that find a style into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer. These should be substituted with natural products to protect the environment.
Apply of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited
The government should take actions and prohibit the utilise of harmful nitrous oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be fabricated enlightened of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products emitting the gas so that its apply is minimised at the individual level too.
Also Read:Our Environment
For more than detailed information on the ozone layer, ozone layer depletion, causes, furnishings and solutions to ozone layer depletion, keep visiting BYJU'South website or download the BYJU'Due south app for farther reference.
Source: https://byjus.com/biology/ozone-layer-depletion/
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