Before addressing the problem of the ozone layer, we are going to establish a simple comparison to better understand what the destruction of the ozone layer refers to.
Let's imagine that the ozone layer is a wooden bowl and the solar radiation, water. Now we place the bowl down and under it, a sponge. The bowl has the function of protecting the sponge from the water that we pour over it, thus preventing it from getting wet. But what if we pierce the bowl? The answer is simple, the protection of this is no longer complete and the sponge would start to get wet. What if we now increase the hole? Well, the amount of water wetting the sponge would be greater, increasing the area affected by the water. The bowl would no longer protect the entire surface. Something similar happens with the ozone layer, the Earth and solar radiation.
In this article by Ecologista Verde we talk in depth about the destruction of the ozone layer, its definition, causes and consequences.
What is the ozone layer: brief definition
Clearly, a definition of the ozone layer is that this is the protective layer located in the stratosphere, which acts as a filter for solar radiation and a shield for ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thus guaranteeing Life on earth.
Despite its great importance, humans seem determined to continue destroying it by accelerating its deterioration through the environmental pollution that is, a good part of it, our fault. In this other post by Green Ecologist you can learn much more about this part of the stratosphere, as well as why the ozone layer is so important.
Definition of the destruction of the ozone layer
As mentioned in the previous section, the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere between 15-30 km distance from the earth's surface. It's formed by O3 molecules (ozone), which at this point have the function of absorb ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B), serving as a filter for solar radiation. The process that occurs is the following and at the end is when the acceleration of deterioration occurs or The destruction of the ozone layer:
- Incident solar radiation is filtered by the ozone layer.
- O3 molecules break down when absorbing UV-B radiation, dissociating into O2 (dioxide) and O (oxygen). This process is called photolysis, which means the breakdown or lysis of the molecule by the action of light.
- The O2 and O forms are not dissociated, they rejoin, forming O3 again. Although this last step does not always happen, thus giving rise to "holes" in the ozone layer.
Causes of the destruction of the ozone layer
Regarding main causes of the destruction of the ozone layer, it should be noted that some of the most responsible products are chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs, which are used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants. When released into the atmosphere, these chemicals are broken down by sunlight, giving rise to atoms of chlorine (Cl), which reacts with the oxygen in ozone (O3), breaking the molecule and forming chlorine monoxide (ClO), thus reducing the amount of ozone in the layer. But it is not only Cl that causes the great ozone depletion, other chemicals that contain bromine (Br) and nitrogen oxides (NOX), present mainly in fertilizers. For this reason, the use of these products has been reduced in order to eradicate them. According to forecasts by the World Meteorological Organization, the ozone layer recovery It will be produced around the year 2050, taking into account that they are estimates, since although they are no longer used and the withdrawal from the market occurs, these products remain in the atmosphere for decades.
It should be noted that the ozone layer hole It is found over Antarctica, despite the fact that most of the gases emitted into the atmosphere "are paid for" by developed countries, although conditions have also been observed in the Alps and Canada. This is due to the time these gases stay in the atmosphere, which allow their movement at the mercy of the general circulation of the planet, benefiting from the low temperatures in that area of the hemisphere. The destruction of the ozone layer is greater the lower the temperature, therefore it increases in winter and early spring.
Consequences of the destruction of the ozone layer
The consequences of accelerated deterioration or destruction of the ozone layer They are numerous, although surely we still do not believe that it could happen to us. These are some of the effects that result from this environmental problem.
Consequences on human health
- Skin cancer: it is the best known disease related to UV-B radiation. When we sunbathe without protecting ourselves or we do not do it properly, we think that nothing is going to happen, since the disease does not appear at the moment, if not over the years.
- Affection to the immune system: It works by reducing the body's ability to protect us from infectious diseases. UV-B radiation modifies the DNA molecule causing changes in our body.
- Vision disturbance: cataracts, presbyopia (eyestrain).
- Respiratory problems: such as asthma, as a consequence of the increase in O3 in the lower layers of the atmosphere, which is harmful at low altitudes.
Consequences on terrestrial and marine animals
- Regarding land animals (dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cows …) the consequences are similar to those of human beings.
- Regarding marine fauna, UV-B radiation reaching the earth's surface directly affects phytoplankton in the oceans, considerably reducing their population. Affecting the rest of the food chain.
Consequences on plants
UV-B radiation alters the development of plant species, changing flowering times, growth and reducing crop production.
The destruction of the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect They are not directly related, although much of society may have that idea. One thing they do share, and he is primarily responsible for these events. If we think about it, all these consequences end up affecting the human being in one way or another, which in turn is the cause and responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer. So … do we continue to believe that our actions will have no consequences in the very near future and even in the present?
Learn more about this other environmental problem in this other article by Green Ecologist on the Greenhouse Effect: causes, consequences and solutions.
How to take care of the ozone layer and avoid its destruction
Finally, we want to offer you some advice on how to take care of the ozone layer so that it is not destroyed, slowing the progress of the hole in this and helping to recover the ozone.
- Avoid using aerosols containing CFCs.
- Avoid products that contain halons, such as some fire extinguishers.
- Avoid the use of fertilizers that contain methyl bromide, there are alternatives that do not have a negative impact and that we can use for growing.
- Buy local products. Why? Well, the reason, in this case, is in the gases emitted by the vehicles that transport the products, these gases are nitrogen oxides, harmful to the ozone layer. If the products are local, the distance they have to travel is less or zero and that translates into minimal or non-existent emission of these.
- Move with other alternatives that are not a private car (public transport, bicycles, scooters …), to avoid the massive emission of the aforementioned gases.
- Use of lower consumption bulbs, such as LEDs. Learn more about LED Green Lighting here.
These are some of the actions that we can avoid and others to promote, but above all to disclose. Starting with the little ones, who are our future but, above all, their own future is in their hands.
In this video you can learn more about how to avoid the deterioration or destruction of the ozone layer.
If you want to read more articles similar to Destruction of the ozone layer: definition, causes and consequences, we recommend that you enter our ozone layer category.
