Ozone depletion

Tweet Plantlife on earth is vital to both humans and animals. Fears about the effects of ozone depletion has led to a variety of experiments and research being conducted but it is difficult to exactly replicate the natural situation since artificial UV light differs from UV from the sun. Crop Sensitivity Tests have shown that some varieties of crops are sensitive to increased UV-B exposure and it could cause a reduction in yield.

Check new design of our homepage! Causes and Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion That are Painfully True The ozone layer is responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays, and preventing them from entering the Earth's atmosphere.

However, various factors have led to the depletion and damage of this protective layer. Learn more about the process, causes, and effects of ozone layer depletion. May 31, Formation of Ozone Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere of the Earth.

It is formed when oxygen molecules absorb ultraviolet photons, and undergo a chemical reaction known as photo dissociation or photolysis.

In this process, a single molecule of oxygen breaks down into two oxygen atoms. The free oxygen atom Othen combines with an oxygen molecule O2and forms a molecule of ozone O3.

The ozone molecules, in turn absorb ultraviolet rays between to nm nanometers wavelength, and thereby prevent these harmful radiations from entering the Earth's atmosphere. The process of absorption of harmful radiation occurs when ozone molecules split up into a molecule of oxygen, and an oxygen atom.

The oxygen atom Orecombines with the oxygen molecule O2 to regenerate an ozone O3 molecule. Thus, the total amount of ozone is maintained by this continuous process of destruction, and regeneration.

Ultraviolet radiations UVRare high energy electromagnetic waves emitted from the Sun. UV-C is unable to reach the Earth's surface due to stratospheric ozone's ability to absorb it. The real threat comes from UV-B, which can enter the Earth's atmosphere, and has adverse effects.

Ozone layer depletion first captured the attention of the whole world in the latter half ofand since then, a lot of research has been done to find its possible effects and causes.

Various studies have been undertaken to find out possible solutions. Let us take a look at some of the causes and effects of ozone layer depletion.

A combination of low temperatures, elevated chlorine, and bromine concentrations in the upper stratosphere are responsible for the destruction of ozone. The production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons CFCsis the leading cause of ozone layer depletion. These are often found in vehicle emissions, byproducts of industrial processes, refrigerants, and aerosols.

ODS are relatively stable in the lower atmosphere of the Earth, but in the stratosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet radiation and thus, they break down to release a free chlorine atom.

Chlorine Monoxide ClO This free chlorine atom reacts with an ozone molecule O3and forms chlorine monoxide ClOand a molecule of oxygen.

Now, ClO reacts with an ozone molecule to form a chlorine atom, and two molecules of oxygen. The free chlorine molecule again reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide. The process continues, and this results in the depletion of the ozone layer. Effects of Ozone Depletion As ozone depletes in the stratosphere, it forms a 'hole' in the layer.

This hole enables harmful ultraviolet rays to enter the Earth's atmosphere. Ultraviolet rays of the Sun are associated with a number of health-related, and environmental issues.

Let us take a look at how ozone depletion affects different life forms. Impact on Humans Skin cancer: Exposure to ultraviolet rays poses an increased risk of developing several types of skin cancers, including malignant melanoma, and basal and squamous cell carcinoma.Ozone layer depletion leads to decrease in ozone in the stratosphere and increase in ozone present in the lower atmosphere.

Presence of ozone in the lower atmosphere is .

Ozone Layer Protection | US EPA	Ozone depletion is primarily caused by human activities.
Causes and Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion That are Painfully True	Peter, So according to Ghandi, are we supposed to fight now?
Ozone Layer and Causes, Effects and Solutions to Ozone Depletion - Conserve Energy Future	Ozone is formed in the stratosphere when oxygen molecules photodissociate after intaking ultraviolet photons.
Ozone layer recovery	Contributors The earth's stratospheric ozone layer plays a critical role in absorbing ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. In the last thirty years, it has been discovered that stratospheric ozone is depleting as a result of anthropogenic pollutants.

The Earth's plantlife is vital and we could face global problems in the food chain if crops and plants suffer from a drop in the planet's ozone levels. 95 thoughts on “ Climate Skeptics: Peter Ward’s Ozone Depletion Theory ” Hank Roberts January 13, at PM. Want another? What most bothers me about atomic energy experts is their conviction that teeny .

A combination of low temperatures, elevated chlorine, and bromine concentrations in the upper stratosphere are responsible for the destruction of ozone. The production and emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), is the leading cause of ozone layer depletion. CFC's account for almost 80% of the total depletion of ozone.

While the famous hole in the ozone layer may be shrinking, its recovery has been offset by this unexpected decrease in other parts of the atmosphere.

Ozone forms in the section of the atmosphere. Using an interactive air pollution simulator to control the air quality in Smog City 2, you can see how individual choices, environmental factors, and different types of land use affect air pollution.