Less dramatic, still significant, depletion of ozone levels has been recorded around the globe. The initial step in the depletion of stratospheric ozone by human activities is the emission, at earths surface, of ozonedepleting gases containing chlorine and bromine. Hole in the ozonewas created by chemicals layer has been caused bylike cfc etc. Ozone is also used commercially as a bleaching agent and to purify municipal water supplies. This layer serves as a shield that protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The natural distribution of ozone around the earth is. Designation of amount of such depletion as an ozone hole is made when the detected amount of depletion exceeds fifty percent. Pdf environmental effects of ozone depletion and its. Download file to see previous pages the effect of ozone depletion is more than what one would anticipate. Ozone o3 is a stratospheric layer that plays important role in providing support to humans for their survival. Ozone depletion consists of two related events observed since the late 1970s.
This can only be done by reducing the use of compounds which react in the atmosphere to harm the ozone layer. Measures should be taken to protect our earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays. The latest satellite measurement indicates an ozone loss at the rate of 8% just above the south pole, at the centre of the ozone hole, 5% of the protective gas is depleting each day. There are many situations where human activities have. Stratospheric ozone depletion leads to an increase in uvb that reach the earths surface, where it can disrupt biological processes and damage a number of materials the fact that uvb can cause biological effects is well demonstrated by the familiar sunburn that follows overexposure to the sun. I recently read a news article about the ozone hole. However, if you would like to change the initial conditions of the system, you might find out that the time threshold will be reduced or augmented. In the upper atmosphere, atmospheric gases absorbs the suns radiation, get ionized, and release molecules. Apr 18, 2019 the ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Presence of ozone in the lower atmosphere is considered as a pollutant and a greenhouse gas. Ozone layer depletion, its causes and its effects free download as powerpoint presentation. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over antarctica.
The upper layer of the atmosphere surrounded by ozone 15 to 30 kms is known as ozonosphere. As a result, the realistic effects of ozone depletion cannot be examined, but the mechanism of chlorine catalyzed destruction of ozone can be understood and observed. For human populations, the most dangerous effects of exposure to greater uvb radiation are. Health and environmental effects of ozone layer depletion. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. Oct 06, 2016 why cant your body handle a punch to the liver. This timeline highlights the average area of the ozone hole between september 7th and october th as observed by nasa spacedbased instruments see colored bars and scale. Ppt effects of ozone depletion powerpoint presentation. The ozonedepletion theory of global warming provides, for the first time, a clear, straightforward explanation for observations not easily explained by greenhousegas theory. Each year since the late 1970s, much of the protective layer of stratospheric ozone above antarctica has disappeared during september, creating what is popularly known as the ozone hole. What are the causes and effects of ozone depletion.
Most questions and answers are updates of those presented in previous ozone assessments, while others have been added or. Progress report 2003 united nations environment programme, environmental e. The most harmful effects of ozone depletion greentumble. Ozone layer depletion causes, effects and solutions 7. Ozone layer research and technical resources us epa. The effects of ozone depletion on the environment this layer of ozone that covers our planet like a blanket is slowly thinning due to the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Effects of ozone depletion on eyes and immune system egee. In fact stratospheric ozone layer has the ability to filter the uv radiations. Ozone is the layer present in stratosphere which protects the life on earth from harmful effects of uv radiations. Furthermore, uv radiation can be damaging to microscopic life in the surface oceans which forms the basis of the worlds food chain, certain varieties of vegetation including rice and. Global warming and ozone layer depletion are two different problems see the sidebar misconceptions about global atmospheric change on page 95. Ozone depletion is allowing the uv radiation to earth surface. The ozone layer in the stratosphere occurs naturally, and it encircles the planet.
Ozone present in the stratosphere forms a protective layer and known as ozone layer, ozonosphere or ozone umbrella its concentration in atmosphere is about 10 ppm. The ozone layer protects us from excessive levels of harmful ultraviolet uv radiation. Why has an ozone hole appeared over antarctica when ozone. These chemicals are found in cleaning agents, aerosols, insulating foam, and refrigerants. Ozone depletion simple english wikipedia, the free. There are important effects of changes in the intensity of solar uv radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion, particularly uvb. The main cause of this is the release of cfcs, chlorofluorocarbonsozone depletion, n. Normal ozone ozone layer depletion and its effects. Misconceptions about the ozone layer depletion common mistake factglobal warming is caused the ozone layer protects theby the ozone hole which earth from the suns harmful uv rays. The problems and causes associated with ozone depletion arise from human activities.
The depletion of atmospheric ozone also has detrimental effects on animals and the natural environment. We have seen the various effects of ozone layer depletion and can conclude by saying that it is very important for our survival. Is it true that the ozone layer protects humans, animals, and plants. Ultraviolet uv radiation from the sun can cause a variety of health problems in humans, including skin cancers, eye cataracts and a reduction in the ability to fight off disease. 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. Effects of ozone depletion on skin up protecting the environment ozone depletion. While several substances were addressed, chcs and hcfcs were the main ones that the international. Download fulltext pdf download fulltext pdf download fulltext pdf. What are the principal steps in stratospheric ozone depletion caused by human activities. Why has an ozone hole appeared over antarctica when. Pdf causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on. Ozone depletion facts and information national geographic. Jun, 2017 our study shows that ozone depletion was in the past a key driver of climate change in the tropical regions of the pacific, says stefan bronnimann, and in the same way, the recovery of the. The ozone hole and its causes recently, chlorofluorocarbons cfcs were used a lot in industry and elsewhere to keep things cold and to make foam and soaps.
The troposphere extends from the surface of the earth upto 12 km and stratosphere extends upto about 50 km from the surface of the. Ozone layer depletion is one of the major environmental issues which is getting thinner day by day as a result of increasing pollution. Stratospheric ozone depletion leads to an increase in uvb that reach the earths surface, where it can disrupt biological processes and damage a number of materials. Ozone is a gas that is present in the ozone layer in the stratosphere of the earth. Ozone depletion is affecting the human health and environment negatively, as it allows the penetration of uv radiations to reach the earth. Cataracts are a form of eye damage in which a loss of transparency in the lens of the eye clouds vision. Causes, effects and solutions of ozone layer depletion. Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of uvb that reaches the earths surface. The exposure to these radiations is severely affecting all life forms on earth, especially the humans.
Effects of ozone depletion ozone depletion is affecting the human health and environment negatively, as it allows the penetration of uv radiations to reach the earth. 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 ozone hole and its causes 12observations on ozone layer 14depletionobservation 1 15observation 2 17misconceptions about the ozone layer 18depletionbibliography 19 11 12. The most harmful effects of ozone depletion greentumble air pollution february 24, 2016 one of the primary functions of the ozone layer is to filter out the majority. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the ozone layer is the anticipated increase in the amounts of ultraviolet radiation received at the surface of the earth and the effect of this on human health and on the environment. Since india already receives high doses of ultraviolet uvb radiation, and is at the threshold go to speak, effects of ozone layer depletion could he far more disastrous in india. The ozone layer acts as a natural filter, absorbing most of the suns burning ultraviolet uv rays. Stratospheric ozone is constantly being created and destroyed through natural cycles. It protects us from harmful uv radiations emitted from. Research confirms that high levels of uv rays cause nonmelanoma skin cancer. There have been several concerns about ozone depletion.
Ozone in the lower atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate change. Causes of ozone layer depletion and its effects on human. It is formed by the reaction of various air pollutants in the presence of sunlight. Understanding that global warming is caused by ozone depletion, not greenhouse gases, has major implications for investments in energy. Causes of ozone depletion the fact that the ozone layer was being depleted was discovered in the mid1980s. In lower atmosphere, atmospheric oxygen get dissociated and subsequently combines with molecular oxygen of the. Effects and measures to protect ozone layer depletion. Additionally, it plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. Evidence that increased ozone loss occurs whenever icy polar clouds are present.
Cause and effects of ozone depletion research paper. In 1985, using satellites, balloons, and surface stations, a team of researchers had discovered a balding patch of ozone in the upper stratosphere, the size of the united states, over antarctica. The ozone layer covers the earth and acts as a shield. How does ozone depletion affect uv levels and life on earth. The effects of ozone layer depletion are as follows. The montreal protocol is an international agreement to address the causes of ozone depletion. Massive amounts of uvb radiation that penetrate our atmosphere do not only affect humans, but also animals and plants. The ozone layer lies about 15 40 km in altitude, although this height varies with latitude. British atlantic survey research station, holly bay, antarctic coast.
Nasa provides daily images, data, and information from satellite instruments that monitor the ozone layer and the ozone hole ozone holea thinning break in the stratospheric ozone layer. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Jan 20, 2010 the montreal protocol is an international agreement to address the causes of ozone depletion. This ozone layer sustains life on the earth by absorbing a great deal of uv ultra violet light radiating out of sun. Like an infection that grows more and more virulent, the continentsize hole in earths ozone layer keeps getting bigger and bigger. Reduced ozone levels as a result of ozone depletion ozone depletiona chemical destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer beyond natural reactions. Oct 27, 2017 the effects of ozone depletion on plants and animals.
Effects of ozone depletion on eyes and immune system. The ozone layer helps to protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer thus plays an important role by preventing the harmful uv radiations from penetrating into the earths lower atmosphere the troposphere. Why has an ozone hole appeared over antarctica when ozonedepleting substances are present throughout the stratosphere. Now i am going to tell you what are the adverse effects caused by the depletion of the ozone layer ozone which accounts for only 3 parts in ten millions of earths atmosphere, plays several crucial roles in the radiation balance of the planet. Find out what caused the ozone hole, and how the 1989 montreal protocol sought to put an end to ozone depletion. Ozone depletion is primarily caused by human activities.
Environmental effects of ozone depletion and its interactions with climate change. Depletion of stratospheric ozone o3, as commonly known as the hole in the ozone layer, is an issue of international concern. This paper analyses the causes and effects of ozone depletion. Laboratory and epidemiological studies demonstrate that uvb causes nonmelanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in malignant melanoma development. The term ozone depletion can refer to a number of distinct, but related phenomena. Ozonedepleting substances are present throughout the stratospheric ozone layer because they are transported great distances by atmospheric air motions. Ozone, a form of oxygen consisting of three atoms of oxygen instead of two, is considered an air pollutant when found at ground levels and is a major component of smog.
Seasonal ozone holes have been observed over both the antarctic and arctic regions. The latter phenomenon is referred to as the ozone hole. With less ozone in the atmosphere, more ultraviolet radiation strikes earth, causing more skin cancer, eye damage, and possible harm to crops. If reactions on ice particles in these clouds really are to blame, then wed expect to see ozone depletion in the arctic as well although less severe than in antarctica, since the clouds are less common around the north pole. Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, animals, and plants. 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. There, it will absorb almost all ultraviolet light which is harmful to many organisms. Chapte r ozone depletion potentials, global warming. Most ozone is found in the stratosphere upper part of the atmosphere, more than 10 to 16 kms from the surface of the earth. These radiations can cause severe diseases in humans such as skin cancer, eye damage and genetic mutations etc 9. Gwps including indirect effects of ozone depletion have been estimated fo r a variety of halocarbons cfcs, halons, hcfcs, etc. Various ozonedepleting substances ods, however, accelerate the destruction processes, resulting in lower than normal ozone levels. Researchers indicate that many of the effects of ozone depletion on human health tend to apply for animals, too.
The main effect of ozone depletion is an increase in uvb rays reaching the earths surface causes. The ozone depletion phenomenon the national academies press. Since about the 1970s, there has been a decrease in total volume of the ozone in the ozone layer, of about 4%, per decade. Download a pdf of the ozone depletion phenomenon by the national research council for free. Permanent or temporary blindness, skin cancer and immunity suppression are the main effects of these radiations reported by various researchers on humans. Ozone layer is a protective stratospheric layer, also known as ozone umbrella. This typically results from higher uv levels reaching us on earth. Ozone layer depletion, its causes and its effects ozone.
Indeed, calculations based on laboratory studies with plants suggest that the biological impact of ozone depletion measured by the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in dna is likely to be less marked than previously thought, because uva quanta 315400 nm may also cause significant damage, and uva is unaffected by ozone depletion. Life on earth has been protected for thousands of years with a vital layer of poison in the atmosphere. Ozone ozone is a simple molecule of three oxygen atoms and it is present in the two lowest layers of the atmosphere troposphere and stratosphere. It is an essential factor for many global, biological and environmental phenomena.
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