Harmful Impact of Ozone depletion

The atmospheric ozone absorbs UVB (which is a spectrum of UV rays based on its wavelength) on the earth’s surface at the Polar Regions. Indeed, the nature beholds tremendous powers which are beyond human reach.

 These chemicals were being carried away to the ozone layer by strong winds. However, thankfully that is not the case and on the contrary it works in favor of life on earth from 20 to 30 kilometer above it.

Although the ozone layer is a very small fraction of the gases present in the atmosphere yet it is of immense importance for the existence of life on earth. However it must be noted that we have done nothing to improve the concentration of ozone in the ozone layer.

Over there, UV radiations broke CFCs and released chlorine atmos.

Around late 1970s, the intelligent minds of the earth (i.e)

Had it been in our close surrounding in abundance, it would have produced a lot of smog into the air, making it unhealthy to breathe in. Harmful Impact of Ozone depletion

There has been a lot of fuss about ozone depletion over past several years. In the first phenomenon the volume of ozone is declining in the ozone layer and in another a significant decrease is being witnessed in atmospheric ozone at the earth’s polar region.

It was observed that over past few decades, various human activities led to the production of several chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons, which were used in refrigerators, shaving sprays and for many other purposes. Apart from this, ozone is also a green house gas and its existence in the polar region is very crucial for earth’s climate. Have you ever wondered why it is of paramount concern? How will it affect you?

Whether your answer is yes or no let us tell you that ozone depletion certainly seeks public’s attention and it affects each one of us.

Ozone depletion refers to two different phenomena which affects the life on earth in a significant way. scientists) observed that the ozone layer is depleting. They analyzed that this depletion allows more UV rays to reach the earth surface and hence can be a serious threat to the life on earth. These bacteria are very sensitive to UV light and might die off by excessive exposure to it.

Due to the scientific findings regarding the use of chemicals that lead to the ozone depletion, an international treaty was signed to reduce the production of such chemicals. To arrive at this conclusion the ozone layer was observed by the satellites for a long period.

Ozone in the ozone layer, miles above the ground is equally crucial for life on earth. Both the phenomena differ to a certain degree but the reason behind their occurrence is somewhat same.

It is important to understand what exactly ozone is and what is this ozone layer. Thus ozone layer was depleting. The thin ozone layer, miles above the ground, shields the entire human race and other living beings from harmful ultraviolet radiations.

This harmful radiation is nothing but the UV rays that are emitted by the sun and very harmful for living beings. For instance, rice crops depend on bacteria that reside in it roots.

Other such chemicals that adversely affect the ozone are methyl halons used in fire extinguishers, bromide used in pesticides and methyl chloroform used in businesses. However anti-ozone chemicals are not the only reasons accounting for ozone depletion.

A new scientific study has also emerged up that suggests that volcanic eruptions might have also contributed to the ozone depletion.

Since then, the ozone layer has been recovering significantly. Each of these chlorine atoms broke around 100,000 ozone molecules. Excessive exposure of UV rays also affects crops. With the depletion of this atmospheric Ozone more UV rays will reach at the earth’s surface without being absorbed and hence will be a serious threat to the global climate. These UV rays are very harmful for both humans and animals. During that time period the ozone layer depleted significantly at the time of two major volcanic eruptions.

Now the questions that arise are- how impactful or hazardous the ozone depletion is? Is there anything to worry at all? Well, it affects the life on earth significantly and it might turn out to be hazardous if no effective actions are taken to prevent ozone depletion. Although this gas appears to be quite similar to oxygen, yet it is very different than that. The more it depletes the more UV rays would pass through. This treaty is called as Montreal Protocol and was signed in the year 1973. Hence, they started examining its causes. Well, ozone is a gas, just like oxygen, which is made of three oxygen atoms rather than two and ozone layer is basically a deep layer of ozone (O3) in earth’s atmosphere, 20 to 30 kilometers above the ground. The high wavelength UV rays separate the oxygen molecules (O2) in the ozone layer which individually recombine with other O2 molecules to form ozone (O3). We have only curbed the causes for its depletion. Then how is the ozone layer recovering?

Interestingly, the UV radiation that is blocked by the ozone layer itself helps in forming the ozone layer.

They lead to skin cancer, cataract, excessive production of vitamin D in the body etc.