If the ozone layer will be destroyed, the ultraviolet rays sent down by the sun will enter the earth and ruin the life of human and the environment the ozone layer protects both plants and animal life from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. And its destruction could give catastrophic effects that would lead to the extinction of the next generations.
Ozone is bluish gas a very dangerous pollutant responsible for producing the greenhouse effect. It is present in the stratosphere that absorbs the suns rays.
In the mid 1980’s, the depletion of the ozone layer was discovered. A massive hole in the ozone layer was seen by experts in 1984 right above Antarctica. It does not only threaten the continent but also others that could be victims of Antarctica’s melting ice caps.
The production and the emission of CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons) is the leading cause for this environmental problem. CFC’s are used by industries in a variety ways and inventions of many products. That is why industries that use the CFC do not want to discontinue the usage of the highly valuable industrial chemical.
Chlorofluorocarbon was discovered by an American chemist Thomas Midgley in 1930’s. Since then, people did not realize the disaster caused by the use of CFC in the Stratosphere.
Chlorofluorocarbon was discovered by an American chemist Thomas Midgley in 1930’s. Since then, people did not realize the disaster caused by the use of CFC in the Stratosphere.
CFC’s are used in refrigerators, home inculcation, and plastic foam and throw away food containers. As CFC entered the stratosphere, the chlorine atom is removed from them then attacks one of the three oxygen atoms of the ozone molecule. A single chlorine atom destroys over 100, 000 molecules of ozone.
In every 1%of the ozone layer that is depleted, 2% more of UV-B is able to reach the surface of the planet. UV-B can cause skin cancer.
Research shows that as ozone layer decreases, malaria and other infectious diseases increases in rate.
In the environment, the life cycle of the plats will change, the food chain will be disrupted and the effects on the animals will be severe.
Oceans forest and deserts will also be harmed. The most basic micro organisms such as plankton may not able to survive that would result of death of all other animals that depends on the existence of the other animals above plankton in the food chain.
Wind patterns would also change that would result to climatic changes throughout the world. Thus, the problem with the production and emission of the CFC would be difficult if not impossible. It is hard to solve because a great quantity of CFC is in the environment already. And even if is again produced, CFC would remain in the stratosphere for another 100 years.
Despite the difficulties, international actions are taken into the limit CFC production, reduce usage of CFC usage and star encouraging other Countries to sign treaties and write laws in restricting the use of CFC.
People’s awareness towards the danger of ozone depletion could be a great advantage in achieving the goal of the world’s action in combating the disaster.
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/environmental_problems.html
Note:
Ultraviolet B: One of the three types of invisible light rays (together with ultraviolet A and ultraviolet C) given off by the sun.
Although ultraviolet C is the most dangerous type of ultraviolet light in terms of its potential to harm life on earth, it cannot penetrate earth's protective ozone layer. Therefore, it poses no threat to human, animal or plant life on earth.
Ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B, on the other hand, do penetrate the ozone layer in attenuated form and reach the surface of the planet. Because ultraviolet A is weaker than ultraviolet B, scientists long blamed ultraviolet B as the sole culprit in causing skin cancer in persons with a history of sunburn and repeated overexposure to ultraviolet radiation. Recent research, however, has also implicated ultraviolet A as a possible cause of skin cancer. In addition to natural light from the sun, artificial light from tanning lamps contains ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B. Electric arc lamps can also generate ultraviolet light to heat furnaces for melting and to enable motion-picture projectors to show movies.
Though ultraviolet light can damage health, it can also maintain or improve health. When ultraviolet light strikes human skin, it triggers the production of vitamin D, which promotes the growth of bones and teeth.
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