Ozone Layer Depletion

The thinning of the ozone layer is another consequence of global proportions of human activities. Ozone is a gas that naturally covers the planet, between 20 and 40 kilometers high and protects it from ultraviolet radiation from the sun and other cosmic radiation from outer space. If not for this protective layer, life on Earth would be impossible.

Recently scientists have observed an increasing thinning in the ozone layer. This decrease in thickness is greater in the Antarctic continent, where they have detected reductions in ozone concentrations of up to 20%.

The main causes are the decrease in the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere, which causes thinning.

CFCs, which are known under the trade name Freon. CFCs have been used in a variety of manufacturing processes and as many different products as a refrigerant, solvent in the electronics industry, in smelting processes and foaming, aerosol, fire extinguisher, drying agent, degreaser, as a key compound for the manufacture of insulating houses or other applications within households and as packaging material rigid foam insulation.

Among these compounds include CFCs, hydrocarbons mean chlorine and fluorine, and chevrons, which are hydrocarbons containing bromine, which as already indicated, are used as refrigerants, solvents, foam insulation, fire substances

Consequences:

• Human health  would be seriously affected by a number of diseases that can increase both in frequency and also severity such as measles, herpes, malaria, leprosy, chickenpox and skin cancer, all of cutaneous origin.
• Less food: ultraviolet radiation affect the ability of plants to absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. It can also be reduced nutrient content and plant growth.
• Climate: It will vary by emissions of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon), which may contribute to global warming. The atmosphere acts as a greenhouse to the ground to let in light, but retains heat. Increasing the amount of certain gases increases the ability of the land to block heat, which causes higher temperatures and climatic changes.
• The construction materials used in buildings, paints, packaging and many other places, are degraded by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Sea level rise as a result of the expansion of its waters when overheat and melt glaciers. Scientists argue that by 2050 the sea will increase from 0.3 to 1.2 meters, resulting in coastal flooding and erosion. Also they predict contamination of water supplies by the absence of salt water and will be affected the economy of coastal areas. Among other extreme events hurricanes, cyclones, intense cold waves and typhoons will occur.
• Genetic changes in flora and fauna.
•  Initiates and promotes the malignant cancer and nonmalignant skin.
•  Damages the immune system, exposing the person to the action of various bacteria and viruses.
• It causes eye damage, including cataracts.
•  Exposure to high doses of UV rays can damage the eyes, especially the cornea absorbs very easy these radiations. Sometimes they occur temporary blindness and chronic exposure is associated with increased ease of developing cataracts.
•  More severe causes sunburn and skin avejentan.
• Increases the risk of toxic allergic dermatitis.
•  Activates certain diseases by bacteria and viruses.
• Increase health care costs.
• Primarily impacts the indigenous population.
•  Reduces crop yields.
•  Reduces the performance of the fishing industry.

SOLUTIONS

• When showering and occupy the least possible amount of water.
• Do not leave water running keys if not occupying these.
• Prevents water leakage checking facilities home.
• Avoid putting hot food in the refrigerator, we save energy.
•   Open the refrigerator door as little as possible.
• Lights off when you're not using.
• Unplug all electronic appliances when you're using, thus also saving energy.
• When you're not occupying the computer and unplug it if you're going to reoccupy soon turns off the screen.
• Use only organic and aerosol sprays.
• Try not to use synthetic foams containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
• An old refrigerator, dumped in a landfill, lets out the CFC to better take it to a store that recycles CFCs in refrigerators.

Ozone Layer

First we are going to explain the whole definition of Ozone Layer

It is a protective layer of the atmosphere that can preserve life on earth and acts as a shield to protect the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is formed in the stratosphere by the action of solar radiation on the oxygen molecules in a process called photolysis.

UV-B radiation can cause damage to living things, depending on its intensity and exposure time; this damage can range from skin irritation, conjunctivitis, and deterioration in the immune system, reaching affect plant growth and damaging the phytoplankton, with subsequent consequences that this causes for the normal development of marine fauna.

There are various products generated by people known as halocarbons, causing the destruction of atmospheric ozone.

Some of them are:

1. Aerosol sprays
2. Components of refrigerators

Today, there is widespread concern that the ozone layer is deteriorating due to the release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine. Such deterioration allows large amounts of ultraviolet B rays to reach Earth, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans and harm animals as well.

Extra ultraviolet B radiation reaching Earth also inhibits the reproductive cycle of phytoplankton, single-celled organisms such as algae that make up the bottom rung of the food chain. Biologists fear that reductions in phytoplankton populations will in turn lower the populations of other animals. Researchers also have documented changes in the reproductive rates of young fish, shrimp, and crabs as well as frogs and salamanders exposed to excess ultraviolet B.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals found mainly in spray aerosols heavily used by industrialized nations for much of the past 50 years, are the primary culprits in ozone layer breakdown.

 When CFCs reach the upper atmosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, which causes them to break down into substances that include chlorine. The chlorine reacts with the oxygen atoms in ozone and rips apart the ozone molecule.

One atom of chlorine can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules, according to the the U.S. environmental Protection Agency.

The ozone layer is our warrior against the might Sun that is bombarding earth with harmful UV radiation and we have to tryour best to protect it. Ozone is basically a gas also referred to as O3 which is formed and reformed constantly in our Earth’s atmosphere. If it were not for the ozone layer, our Earth would be barren with slight traces of life. It is also being said that the southern hemisphere of the Earth could have an additional 20% depletion of the ozone that could result in natural calamities like tornadoes, avalanches, fires, tsunamis etc. 

Here are some ways in which we can contribute to protecting the ozone layer and our precious Earth:

• Avoid using pesticides.
• Developing stringent regulations for rocket launches.
• Use eco-friendly household cleaning products.
• Limit private vehicle driving.
• Banning the use of dangerous nitrous oxide.