Ozone Layer

Chandrima Manna, 9 B
Patience
Faith Academy
 Ozone Layer Definition

• “The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s

stratosphere that contains high concentrations
of ozone and protects the earth from the
harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.”
 What is Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the earth’s
atmosphere. It has the potential to absorb around 97-99% of the
harmful ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun that can
damage life on earth. If the ozone layer was absent, millions of
people would develop skin diseases and may have weakened
immune systems. However, scientists have discovered a hole in
the ozone layer in Antarctica. This has focused their concern 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
us have a detailed look at the various causes and effects of ozone
layer depletion.
Ozone Layer Depletion
“Ozone layer depletion is the
gradual thinning of the earth’s
ozone layer in the upper
atmosphere caused due to the
release of chemical compounds
containing gaseous bromine or
chlorine from industries or other
human 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 it is created. Some compounds
release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet
light, which then contributes to the ozone layer depletion.
Such compounds are known as Ozone Depleting Substances
(ODS).
• The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include
chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas,
the ozone-depleting substances that contain bromine are
halons, methyl bromide, and hydro Bromo fluorocarbons.
Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting
substance. It is only when the chlorine atom reacts with some
other molecule, it does not react with ozone. Montreal Protocol
was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of
ozone-depleting substances and minimize their concentration in
the atmosphere to protect the ozone layer of the earth.
 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 cause of ozone layer depletion. These
are released by solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down 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
depletion of ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a
huge loss of the ozone layer by the year 2050.
 • Nitrogenous Compounds
The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly
responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
• Natural Causes
The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural
processes such as Sun-spots and stratospheric winds. But it does not
cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.
The volcanic eruptions are also 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 main ozone-depleting
substances and the sources from where they are released:
 Effects Of Ozone Layer Depletion
• The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the
environment. Let us see the major effects of ozone layer depletion on
man and environment.
• Effects on Human Health
• The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet
radiations of the sun due to the depletion of the ozone layer. This
might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin
diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and weak immune
system.
• Effects on Animals
• Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer
in animals.
• Effects on the Environment
• 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 greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet
rays. These are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are
destroyed, the organisms present in the food chain are also affected.
 Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion
• The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various
programs have been launched by the government of various countries
to prevent it. However, steps should be taken at the individual level as
well to prevent the depletion of the ozone layer.
• Following are some points that would help 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
fire extinguishers, etc.
• Minimize the Use of Vehicles
• The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global
warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should
be minimized as much as possible.
• Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
• Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing
chemicals that find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer.
These should be substituted with natural products to protect the
environment.
• Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited
• The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful
nitrous oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be
made aware of the harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products
emitting the gas so that its use is minimized at the individual level as well.
 What is the current status of ozone layer?

• The 2020 ozone hole grew rapidly from mid-August and peaked at around 24
million square kilometers in early October. It now covers 23 million km2, above
average for the last decade and spreading over most of the Antarctic continent.
The latest WMO /UN Environment Program Scientific Assessment of Ozone
Depletion, issued in 2018, concluded that the ozone layer on the path of
recovery and to potential return of the ozone values over Antarctica to pre-1980
levels by 2060. This is because of the long lifetime of the chemicals in the
atmosphere.
• Is ozone currently increasing or decreasing?
• Research published in American Chemistry and Physics shows that there
continues to be a decrease in stratospheric ozone (O₃), despite a detectable
increase in the ozone levels in the upper stratosphere and at the poles.