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Why the hole in the atmospheric ozone layer above us? What has been done about this? Why should I worry ourselves about the Ozone Layer Depletion?
Mr. OZONE: Will I be able to continue enjoying this life without problems?
The Discovery
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.
Team who discovered the hole 1985. From left: Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan
Used by NASA to measure ozone concentrations TOMS a satellite-borne instrument TOMS launched in 1996 makes 35 measurements every 8 seconds Levels of ozone are measured in Dobson units (DU), where 100 DU is equivalent to a 1 millimeter thick layer of pure ozone
Earths Atmosphere
The ozone layer, situated in the stratosphere about 15 to 30 km above the earth's surface.
Ozone protects living organisms by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun. The ozone layer is being destroyed by CFCs and other substances. Ozone depletion progressing globally except in the tropical zone.
www.epcc.pref.osaka.jp/apec/
Unlike oxygen (O2), ozone has a strong scent and is blue in color.
Ozone exists within both the tropospheric and stratospheric zones of the Earths atmosphere In the troposphere, ground level ozone is a major air pollutant and primary constituent of photochemical smog
In the stratosphere, the ozone layer is an essential protector of life on earth as it absorbs harmful UV radiation before it reaches the earth.
Meteorological mechanism
Movement of air from one place to another in the upper stratosphere Cold temperature in the upper atmosphere causes nitric acid to freeze into crystals forming wispy pink clouds Forms a vortex of tightly twisted winds thus forming a hole in the upper atmosphere
Chemical Mechanism
Different chemicals are responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer Topping the list : chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) man-made, non-toxic and inert in the troposphere In the stratosphere are photolysed, releasing reactive chlorine atoms that catalytically destroy ozone
A combination of low temperatures and elevated chlorine and bromine concentrations are responsible for the destruction of ozone in the upper stratosphere thus forming a hole.
(Kerr, 1987)
www.met.sjsu.edu/~cordero/ education/ed
16 35 km (above bkgd level) Stratosphere contains about 90% of all atmospheric ozone Total column ozone: ~300 DU (1 DU = 0.3 cm thick layer at 1 atm)
Chlorofluorocarbons are created and used in refrigerators and air conditioners. These chlorofluorocarbons are not harmful to humans and have been a benefit to us. Once released into the atmosphere, chlorofluorocarbons are bombarded and destroyed by ultraviolet rays. In the process chlorine is released to destroy the ozone molecules
Molecular oxygen is broken down in the stratosphere by solar radiation to yield atomic oxygen, which then combines with molecular oxygen to produce ozone. The ozone is then destroyed by chlorine atoms.
UV radiation from the sun releases the radicals Cl and ClO. Ozone is a highly unstable molecule so it readily donates its extra oxygen molecule to free radical species such as hydrogen, bromine, and chlorine. These compound species act as catalysts in the breakdown of ozone molecules.
Source: NASA
Monthly means of total ozone in the Southern Hemisphere observed with TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) Images for October of 1979 (left) and 1998 (right).
Damage to plant cell DNA molecules - makes plants more susceptible to pathogens and pests
Reductions in photosynthetic capacity in the plant - results in slower growth and smaller leaves Causes mutations in mammalian cells and destroys membranes
Skin cancer Premature aging (photoaging) of the skin (different from normal chronological aging) Cataracts and eye disorders (corneal sunburn and blindness) Immune system damage