The Ozone LayerNataly Quintanilla

What is the Ozone Layer?

• The Atmosphere is divided into different layer.

• The ozone layer is a deep layer in the stratosphere, encircling the Earth.

• The layer shields the entire Earth from much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun.

Where is the Ozone Layer happening?

• Ozone is mainly found in two regions of the Earth's atmosphere.

• Most ozone (about 90%) resides in a layer that begins between 6 and 10 miles (10 and 17 kilometers) above the Earth's surface and extends up to about 30 miles (50 kilometers).

• This region of the atmosphere is called the stratosphere.

• The ozone in this region is commonly known as the ozone layer.

• The remaining ozone is in the lower region of the atmosphere, which is commonly called the troposphere.

How does it affect life on Earth? Or how is life on Earth affected by it?

• Stratospheric ozone plays a beneficial role by absorbing most of the biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight (called UV-B), allowing only a small amount to reach the Earth's surface.

• The absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone creates a source of heat, which actually forms the stratosphere itself (a region in which the temperature rises as one goes to higher altitudes).

Cont…

• Many experimental studies of plants and animals and clinical studies of humans have shown the harmful effects of excessive exposure to UV-B radiation.

• Without the filtering action of the ozone layer, more of the Sun's UV-B radiation would penetrate the atmosphere and would reach the Earth's surface.

Are there problems with the Ozone Layer?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSLjApQGy5s

Are there problems with the Ozone Layer?

• At the Earth's surface, ozone comes into direct contact with life-forms and displays its destructive side.

• Because ozone reacts strongly with other molecules, high levels of ozone are toxic to living systems. Several studies have documented the harmful effects of ozone on crop production, forest growth, and human health.

• The substantial negative effects of surface-level tropospheric ozone from this direct toxicity contrast with the benefits of the additional filtering of UV-B radiation that it provides

• . Depletion of the ozone layer has consequences on humans, animals and plants. This typically results from higher UV levels reaching us on earth.

• Ozone layer depletion, is simply the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere.

• Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, Ozone depletion has been pinned down to one major human activity. Depletion begins when ultra violet radiation from the sun breaks up these CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).

What are some solutions?

• The only way is to remove the excess chlorine and bromine from the stratosphere. And the only way to do that is to stop making CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and several other chemicals.

• This is why in the 1990s a meeting of the worlds big nations met and agreed to reduce the usage of CFCs and also encouraged other nations to do the same. That was decided in the Montreal Protocol.

• This is not enough, but at least it was a good starting point.

• Ozone is a natural gas and is naturally replenished over time. This means if we can do something to balance the natural production with its depletion, there should not be a problem. Other way to prevent ozone depletion:

1. Limit private vehicle driving

2. Use eco-friendly household cleaning products

3. Avoid using pesticides

4. Developing stringent regulations for rocket launches

5. Banning the use of dangerous nitrous oxide