It is mainly found in:

• Troposphere

• Stratosphere

• Mesosphere
• Ozone layer is a thin, fragile
shield that contains relatively
high concentrations of ozone.

• It shields the entire Earth

from much of the harmful UV
radiation that comes from the
sun.
• In the 1970s, the scientists
discovered that the ozone
layer is being depleted.
Past, present and
Predicted
Condition of
Ozone layer, if it
goes on
depleting
“Ozone Hole” more
accurate “ozone
thinning”.

Warming at end of
winter releases frozen
chemicals destroying
ozone.
 Ozone layer is being
destroyed by a group of
manufactured chemicals that
are called ODS or Ozone-
Depleting Substances.
The main ODS are the following:

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC 11, CFC 12, CFC

13)

• Methyl bromide (CH3Br)

• Halons (halon-1211, halon-1301, halon-2402)

• Carbon tetrachloride (CCI4)

• Hydrochloroluorocarbons (HCFC 22 and HCFC

123)
The Process of ODS Reaching the Atmosphere
Every time 1% of the ozone layer is depleted,
2% more UV-B is able to reach the surface of the
planet. UV-B increase is one of the most harmful
consequences of ozone depletion.
The effect of ozone depletion
is the increased UV-B radiation
reaching Earth’s surface.

Effects on Humans
• Sunburn
•Sun-damaged skin
•Cataracts
•Snow blindness
•Skin cancer
• Reduced effectiveness of
immune system

• Respiratory illness and

heart problems
 OZONE HOLE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The ozone hole does not directly affect air

temperatures in the troposphere, the layer of the
atmosphere closest to the surface, although changes
in circulation over Antarctica related to the ozone
hole appear to be changing surface temperature
patterns over that continent
OZONE DEPLETION
IS ALSO AFFECTING
OUR OLDEST HOME :
OCEAN

Phytoplankton and zooplankton, microscopic marine

organisms which play crucial roles in complex ecological
food webs, are sensitive to UV radiation.

Because UV-B radiation is absorbed by only a few

layers of cells, large organisms are more protected,
whilst smaller ones, such as unicellular organisms
in aquatic ecosystems, are among the most severely
affected by UV radiation
Research indicates that many plankton species
already seem to be at or near their maximum
tolerance of UV radiation. Thus, even small increases
in UV-B levels may have a dramatic impact on
plankton life and on entire marine ecosystems.

If ozone-layer depletion reached 15% over temperate

waters, it would take less than five days in summer
for half the zooplankton in the top metre of these
waters to die from the increased radiation.
 EFFECT S ON AGRICULTURE

1.Several of the world's major crop species are

particularly vulnerable to increased UV, resulting
in reduced growth, photosynthesis and flowering.
These species include wheat, rice, barley, soybeans,
peas, tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots.

2.Plant growth, especially in seedlings, is harmed

by more intense UV radiation.
 EFFECTS ON ANIMALS

In domestic animals, UV overexposure may cause

eye and skin cancers. Species of marine animals in
their developmental stage (e.g. young fish, shrimp
larvae and crab larvae) have been threatened in
recent years by the increased UV radiation under
the Antarctic ozone hole.
 EFFECT ON MATERIALS

Wood, plastic, rubber, fabrics and many

construction materials are degraded by UV
radiation.

The economic impact of replacing and/or

protecting materials could be significant.
 Marine Terrestrial
Humans
Ecosystems Ecosystems

Air Quality Materials

Mitigations
 When an ozone hole was
discovered, several countries unite to
prevent the continuous depletion of
the ozone layer by implementing
policies and other preventive
measures.

• The Montreal Protocol on

Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer
The Montreal Protocol is an international
agreement adopted in 1987 to control the
production and consumption of specific man-made
chemicals that destroy the ozone layer, the earth’s
protective shield.

An agreement /mechanism to reduce and

eliminate the production and consumption of ODS

Developed and developing countries have different

phase out schedules
 The Montreal Protocol is working. There is clear
evidence of a decrease in the atmospheric burden of
ozone-depleting substances in the lower atmosphere
and in the stratosphere;

 Some early signs of the expected stratospheric ozone

recovery are also evident.

 Furthermore, if the Parties were to eliminate all

emissions of ozone depleting substances soon after
2006, it would advance by about 15 years (from
around 2050 to 2035) the global ozone layer recovery
to pre-1980 levels

34
 Be
informed

Be Understand
reminded

Sustainable
development

Follow Know our

responsibilities

Educate
ourselves
at last it is all up to us
To save our MOTHER
EARTH

RESPECT
NATURE
RESPECT
EARTH
 THIS IS NOT ENOUGH
………. TO UNDERSTAND THE
NATURAL WORLD

THE POINT IS TO DEFEND

AND PRESERVE IT……. 