OZONE FORMATION AND DEPLETION--EFFECTS AND EFFORTS NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT OZONE FROM UV

OZONE DEPLETION

•          Ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen (O3) found in Earth’s upper and lower atmosphere.

•          It is unstable gas, only few cm thick .

•          If the rate of breakdown is faster then the rate of formation then the ozone layer thins

•          This could develop into Ozone hole.

•          An ozone hole was first observed over he Antarctic in 1985

Evolution of the Ozone Layer

Early planet history:

–      no ozone present

–      UV light directly     hit planet’s surface

Depletion of Ozone Layer

•          The ozone layer is being destroyed by CFCs and other substances.The mechanisms Responsible for Ozone depletion

          \1)Meteorological mechanism

          2)Chemical mechanism

Too much ultra-violet light can result in:
•       Skin cancer

•       Eye damage such as cataracts

•       Immune system damage

•       Damage to the DNA in various life-forms

–      this has been as observed  in Antarctic ice-fish that lack pigments to shield them from the ultra-violet light (they've never needed them before)

•       UV radiation can alter both the time of flowering as well as the number of flowers in certain species.

What Is Being Done to Counter the Effects of Ozone Depletion?

•       Montreal Protocol (adopted in 1987) – panel of experts was formed  to investigate substances responsible for Ozone hole formation. Established policies that prevent future use of certain types of chemicals. Stipulated that the production and consumption of compounds contributing towards depletion of ozone in the stratosphere were to be phased out by the year 2000 (2005 for methyl-chloroform)

•       The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) – Responsible for enforcing the Montreal Protocol within the U.S.The EPA has several programs in place;Regulating and enforcing on-road car and truck air-conditioning systems.Regulating most air-conditioning and refrigeration appliances.Technician certification

•       Efforts Need to Be Done

Create reliable models.To gain a better understanding of the effects ozone depletion has on organisms living within different ecosystems. Enforcement of Montreal Protocol.To reduce concentrations of chemicals responsible for ozone depletion.Monitoring chemicals being emitted.Gain a better overall understanding on just how ozone depletion is affecting our planet