Ozone Layer

Ozone

When three atoms of oxygen combine together then the resulting molecule is called ozone. Its molecular formula is O3 and is pale blue color. It is formed naturally due to action of uv on oxygen. The ozone layer shields the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer not only absorbs ultraviolet radiation but also the radiation of wavelength less than 3x10-7 m.

Ozone layer

The layer of ozone present in Stratosphere which Protect earth from direct ultraviolet rays of the sun is called ozone layer or ozonosphere. When an oxygen molecule absorbs high energy of solar radiation, it dissociates into nascent oxygen. The nascent oxygen then combines with oxygen and ozone molecule is formed.

Formation and destruction of ozone

Formation

When atmospheric oxygen (O2) is influenced by ultraviolet rays of the sun it disassociates in to nascent oxygen. The nascent oxygen combines with Oxygen to form ozone. When ultra violet rays having wavelength less than 340 nm are absorbed by ozone they disassociate in to O2 and nascent (O). The nascent oxygen forms oxygen molecule latter.

Depletion

The rate of formation and destruction is equal naturally. But because of human activity the rate of destruction of ozone is increasing so the thickness of ozone layer is thinning day by day. This process is called ozone layer depletion.

Laws of ozone layer depletion

There are various agents that help to destroy ozone molecule and convert them in to oxygen gas. Some of the common sources of ozone layer depletion are.

1. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers

   If we use chemical fertilizers in farm excessively then unused part of fertilizers will be converted into various toxic oxides by the action of soil bacteria which will deplete ozone layer by reacting with ozone.

2. By burning fire wood

   Fires releasing from woods contain chlorine-containing compounds. Some of these can reach the ozone layer, and cause ozone depletion. Wildfires consume oxygen, and destroy oxygen producers. Ozone depends on oxygen being present to be made. Wildfires alter the surface resistance of the Earth's surface (Hotter/more absorptive), and left water vapor both of these tend to drive more water vapor into the ozone layer, where it to cause ozone depletion.

Effect of ozone layer depletion

• Effect on health of human beings

  Due to ozone layer depletion, ultra violet rays of the sun may fall directly on the earth's surface which may cause skin inflammation, different types of cancer, loss of immunity. It also effect DNA replication by forming dimers.

• Effect on plants

  Plants are also affected by ozone depletion. It reduces forest and decrease the crop yielding. Various species of plants may extinct. It reduces of rate of photosynthesis and water use efficiency of plants.

• Effect on other animals

  Ultravlet rays of the sun also affect fertility of animals. Eggs of aquatic animals and amphibian die to ozone layer depletion. It causes adverse effect on layer depletion. It causes effect on their population. The ozone layer depletion can cause many types of cancer to other animals also.

Global warming

The main Cause of Ozone layer depletion Are chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and oxides of nitrogen. These gases are also greenhouse gases. Due to over greenhouse effect the temperature of the earth increases which cause global warming. It is believed that if temperature of the earth continues to increases in the present ratio the day is not so far when the oceans will engulf numbers of islands.

Conservation of ozone layer

1. Use of HFC's should be promoted instead of CFC's and HCFCS.
2. Use of nitrogen fertilizers should be reduced.
3. Vehicles conducted by fossils fuels should be replaced by the vehicles conducted by electricity.
4. Filter for greenhouse gases should be used in vehicles. It controls their mixing in the atmosphere.
5. People should be aware about the consequences of ozone layer depletion.
6. Public vehicles should be promoted rather than private vehicles.