Explain Ozone Hole
What is the ozone hole?
Explain the Ozone Hole
According to the English dictionary, ozone hole means-
“a region of marked thinning of the ozone layer in high latitudes, chiefly in winter, attributed to the chemical action of CFCs and other atmospheric pollutants. The resulting increase in ultraviolet light at ground level gives rise to an increased risk of skin cancer”.
The ozone layer had started thinning since the 1980s, scientists had discovered that the thinning is because of increased concentration of ozone-depleting chemicals. The ozone loss was known as the Ozone hole. The two gases responsible for the ozone hole are mentioned below:
Ozone depletion is caused by chlorofluorocarbons and halon gases (Nitrogenous gases), which are released into the air. These gases are found in cans, refrigerators, aerosol sprays, etc. These gases cause chemical reactions that break down the molecules of the ozone layer, which indeed reduces the radiation absorbing capacity.
Ozone in the upper atmosphere absorbs ultraviolet rays and radiation. The sun releases electromagnetic radiation, which is harmful to us. So, Earth has a different atmosphere that protects it from reaching us. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt, but it has a very powerful effect. One can say that UV radiation can be a small cause of global warming. Human activities release pollutants in the air, causing ozone depletion and global warming.
Its harmful effects on us are:
– The different type of UV rays that are released by the sun and that reaches our Earth will affect everything, be it humans, plants, or animals. For humans, there can be a higher risk of skin cancer, sunburns, and different types of skin diseases. For plants, it might attest to their growth. For animals, the same might happen as humans.
– Planktons are also greatly affected by the UV rays. It can also be a small reason for global warming.
– Written by Nehal Rathi
Ozone:
The ozone layer is the layer present in the stratosphere. It is also known as the ozonosphere. This layer is extremely important for the Earth as it helps in blocking all harmful solar radiation from reaching the Earth. Ultimately, shielding the Earth against dangerous UV rays.
Now, ozone is produced by the process of photodissociation when the singular atomic release of an oxygen molecule happens, and that singular atom joins an O2 molecule. Now, it is also evident that the amount of ozone production varies every year. But now the scenario has become such that the ozone layer has slowly started its depletion.
So, let’s discuss more that
Ozone Depletion
So what exactly is Ozone Depletion?
The ozone layer over the years is becoming thinner and thinner. This is ozone depletion. It is happening that due to increasing technologies and modernization of societies, factories and industries are increasing. For this, the chemical release after the industrial process is also increasing. Chlorine and Bromine are two elements that are pollutants that are actively destroying the state of ozone layer. It is also taken into account that the process of depletion is particularly more in the polar regions, i.e., at the extreme of the earth.
The harmful effects of ozone depletion:
1. Air quality may decline
. The excessive UV rays form smog that clutters the air around the city, making it extremely dense
. Increases ground-level ozone in a large area.
c. As a whole, the weather is completely and fully changing every year.
2. The aquatic ecosystem is also affected
. Low production of phytoplankton
b. Oceans get warmed up in the upper half, and the nutrients from the bottom don’t get transported upwards
3. Human health has suffered too
. Unnecessary tanning of skin
. The skin is exposed to UV radiation that damages the inside.
– Written by Godhuli Mondal
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