What is the Ozone ?

Ozone layer is a layer of the stratosphere, the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. The stratosphere is the mass of protective gases clinging to our planet.

The Ozone layer is present in Earth’s atmosphere from 15 to 35 km above Earth, in the lower portion of the stratosphere and has relatively high concentrations of ozone (O₃).

The ozone layer normally develops when a few kinds of electrical discharge or radiation splits the 2 atoms in an oxygen(O₂) molecule, which then independently reunite with other types of molecules to form ozone.

Ozone is only a trace gas in the atmosphere – only about 3 molecules for every 10 million molecules of air.

The Ozone layer reduces harmful Ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer acts as a shield for life on Earth.

UV light can penetrate organisms’ protective layers, like skin, damaging DNA molecules in plants and animals.

There are two major types of UV light: UVB and UVA.

1.     UVB is the cause of skin conditions like sunburns, and cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

2.     UVA light is even more harmful than UVB, penetrating more deeply and causing deadly skin cancer, melanoma, and premature aging.

The ozone layer, our Earth’s sunscreen, absorbs about 98 percent of this devastating UV light.

What is Ozone layer depletion ?

Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere.

The thickness of the ozone layer varies immensely on any day and location.

Ozone depletion also consists of a much larger springtime decrease in stratospheric ozone around Earth’s Polar Regions, which is referred to as the ozone hole.

The main cause of ozone depletion and the ozone hole is manufactured chemicals, especially manufactured halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants, and foam-blowing agents (chlorofluorocarbons, HCFCs).

1.     ODS have been proven to be eco-friendly, very stable, and non-toxic in the atmosphere below.

2.     This is why they have gained popularity over the years.

3.     However, their stability comes at a price; they can float and remain static high up in the stratosphere.

Everyone should also take steps to prevent the depletion of the ozone layer.

1.     One should avoid using pesticides and shift to natural methods to get rid of pests instead of chemicals.

2.     The vehicles emit a large number of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be minimized as much as possible.

3.     Most cleaning products have chemicals that affect the ozone layer. We should substitute that with ecofriendly products.

4.     Maintain air conditioners, as their malfunctions cause CFC to escape into the atmosphere.

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