The Effects of Ozone Depletion Essay - 1265 Words

The ozone layer is a deep layer in the Earth’s stratosphere that has an altitude of about 6.2 miles and contains a high concentration of ozone molecules. The ozone layer shields the entire Earth from some of the harmful ultraviolet rays that come from the sun. The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of several layers, but the layer that we live in - the â€Å"troposphere† – is where most weather occurs. Above the troposphere is the stratosphere which is where most of the effects caused by ozone holes and global warming originate. The ozone layer absorbs 97% to about 99% of the Sun’s medium-frequency ultraviolet light which could otherwise potentially harm and damage exposed life forms on the surface of the Earth. There are three main types of†¦show more content†¦When chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) reach the stratosphere, the Suns’ ultraviolet radiation causes these compounds to break apart and release chlorine atoms which then begin to react with the ozone. Just one chlorine atom in the ozone can break more than 100,000 ozone molecules. Other chemicals that are harmful to the ozone include methyl bromide (which is used as pesticide), halons (which are used in fire extinguishers), and methyl chloroform (used as a solvent in industrial processes). When methyl bromide and halons rise to the atmosphere and break apart, they release bromine atoms. These bromine atoms are approximately 60 times more destructive to the ozone layer than chlorine atoms are. Dramatic loss of the ozone in the lower stratosphere was discovered over Antarctica in the 1970s. The severe depletion of stratospheric ozone in the Antarctic has increased ultraviolet radiation at the surface and affected climate at southern high latitudes and northern low latitudes. Due to these several ozone hole discoveries, an international treaty was signed in 1973 called the Montreal Protocol. The treaty was enacted to help reduce the manufacturing of these chemicals thatShow MoreRelatedOzone Layer Depletion And Its Effects1575 Words   |  7 Pages Ian Grimmond Ozone Layer Depletion When you walk outside, there is a pale blue molecule up in the Stratosphere that is protecting you every second of every day of your life, this molecule is called ozone. Ozone is made of oxygen and has a chemical equation of OO2. It is layered all over our Stratosphere and protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. Without this in our atmosphere, we would mostly likely not live as long on this Earth. Sadly however, this ozone layer is depleting, andRead More Global Effects of Ozone Depletion Essay1135 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal Effects of Ozone Depletion Ozone depletion in the earth’s atmosphere is under constant scrutiny by the American press and people. 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