Home » The Environment » The Ozone Layer
The Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is the layer of the upper atmosphere which absorbs harmful ultraviolet and radiate from the Sun. Made up of ozone gases if it were compressed to the pressure of sea level it would only be a few millimetres thick.
Each year ozone depletion occurs over the artic regions, often resulting a “hole” appearing. These holes occur during spring after a process which occurs during the polar winters. As no daylight reaches the south pole during winter string winds develop in the lower stratosphere and forming a polar vortex. These vortex’s isolate the cold air within them and form polar stratospheric clouds. With no sun to heat the air temperatures often reach over -80 degree C. This is the first stage of Ozone depletion. In order for ozone depletion to occur there must be a presence of CFC’s within the atmosphere, which is where human intervention enters the equation. Homes and companies throughout the world produce vast quantities of CFC’s each year which are draw up into the atmosphere. When these reach the polar regions the chlorines and bromines are held within the freezing air until sunlight returns during spring. When this occurs the chlorine and bromines react and begin destroying the ozone molecules. Ozone depletion is rapid throughout spring but once the air has been sufficiently heated the ozone will repair itself during the warmer summer months. This naturally occurring cycle is being disrupted by the quantity of CFC’s now reaching these areas due to increased production of them by humans. Although steps have been taken to greatly reduce the level of CFC’s we produce they are still a heavily contributing factor to the increasing sizes of holes being created in the ozone layer.
Ozone layer depletion carried with it numerous environmental effects. For humans the risk of cancer is greatly increased if exposed to areas of low ozone, due to increased levels of UVB exposure. Similarly plant growth can be damaged due to over expose to UVB rays. Furthermore marine systems are also greatly affected by lack of ozone. Phytoplankton which live near the surface of the oceans are dramatically affected and studies have also shown that damage can occur among developmental stages of fish and other water habiting animals.