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The Thinning of The Ozone Layer
- The Ozone Layer
- The ozone layer is located on earth’s stratosphere which contain relatively high concentration of ozone ( a
molecule made up of three oxygen atoms).
- The ozone layer is crucially important to life because it absorbs biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation
from the sun.
- The ozone layer is located on earth’s stratosphere which contain relatively high concentration of ozone ( a
molecule made up of three oxygen atoms).
- Ozone Depletion
- The thinning of the ozone layer is blamed on the increase in CFCs.
- CFCs are used as coolants in refrigerators and air conditioners as aerosol propellants and in foam plastics
production.
- CFCs release chlorine atoms when reacting with solar radiation at high altitudes.
- The chlorine atoms then cause ozone molecules to break down. Chlorine atoms can remain in the stratosphere
in 100 years, constantly and repeatedly breaking down ozone molecules.
- A thinning ozone layer will lead to increased UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface.
- This will cause an increase in incidence of cataracts and skin cancers in humans as it increases mutation
rates.
- It also suppresses the immune system of animals and humans, and also damages plants and phytoplantonks.
- The use of CFCs is being phased out under the terms of the Montreal Protocol, 1987.
- The Montreal Protocol is an international agreement that control the production and consumption of
Ozone-Depleting Substances ( ODSs) such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs).
- ODSs are also gases that contribute to global warming.
- CFCs are currently being replaced by HFC molecules which do not break down ozone, and HFCs which has a
low ozone breakdown potential (HCFs will be phased out by 2030).
- The thinning of the ozone layer is blamed on the increase in CFCs.
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