OZONE DEPLETION

OZONE DEPLETIONCHE185 | GROUP 4OZONE & THE OZONE LAYEROZONEA highly reactive molecule that contains three oxygen atoms. Two classifications:Good Ozone (Stratospheric Ozone) Bad Ozone (Tropospheric Ozone)OZONE & THE OZONE LAYER

OZONE & THE OZONE LAYERGood Ozone-occurs naturally in the upper Stratosphere, it plays a vital role because it shields us from the sun's harmful UV rays.

OZONE & THE OZONE LAYERBad Ozone-Each time there is a reaction of chemicals such as those found in cars, power plants and factory emissions, in the presence of sunlight (UV light), bad ozone is created.

OZONE & THE OZONE LAYEROZONE LAYER -A belt of naturally occurring ozone gas that sits 9.3 to 18.6 miles (15 to 30 kilometers) above Earth and serves as a shield from the harmful ultraviolet B radiation emitted by the sun.OZONE & THE OZONE LAYER

OZONE PRODUCTION

Large increases in stratospheric chlorine and bromine, however, have upset that balance. In effect, they have added a siphon downstream, removing ozone faster than natural ozone creation reactions can keep up. Therefore, ozone levels fall.8OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCESChlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found mainly in spray aerosolsMethyl bromide used in pesticidesHalons used in fire extinguishersMethyl chloroform used in making industrial solventsCAUSES OF OZONE DEPLETION

One atom of chlorine can destroy more than a hundred thousandozone molecules, according to the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.10OZONE DEPLETION

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chemicals found mainly in spray aerosols heavily used by industrialized nations for much of the past 50 years, are the primary culprits in ozone layer breakdown. When CFCs reach the upper atmosphere, they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, which causes them to break down into substances that include chlorine. The chlorine reacts with the oxygen atoms in ozone and rips apart the ozone molecule.11OZONE DEPLETION EFFECTSTo humansUV Rays cause non-melanoma skin cancer. UV is also linked to cataracts (a disease of the eye which clouds the eyes lens).

To plantsPlant growth, as well as its physiological and developmental processes are all affected negatively.OZONE DEPLETION EFFECTSTo marine (or water) ecosystemsChanges in UV levels is known to affect the development and growth of phytoplankton, and naturally, the fish that feed on them.To the biogeochemical cycleChanges in UV levels can cause biosphere-atmosphere feedback resulting from the atmospheric buildup of these gases.REFERENCES:http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/ozone-depletion-overview/

http://eschooltoday.com/ozone-depletion/effects-of-ozone-depletion.html

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/OzoneDepletionGraphic.htm