Among the layers of our atmosphere, there is one that protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation: the ozone layer. Located in the stratosphere, the ozone layer is composed primarily of ozone. The problem is that the ozone layer is being destroyed by human industrial activities. Thanks to various treaties, the hole in this layer is shrinking. However, much work remains to be done.
In this article, we'll tell you how the destruction of the ozone layer affects our planet and what we can do to protect it.
Ozone layer destruction
It is a protective layer located in the stratosphere. It acts as a filter for ultraviolet solar radiation, which is harmful to living beings. Although this layer is very important for survival, humans still seem determined to destroy it. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are chemical substances that destroy ozone in the stratosphere through various reactions . Ozone is a gas composed of fluorine, chlorine, and carbon. When this chemical reaches the stratosphere, it undergoes a photolysis reaction with the sun's ultraviolet radiation. This causes the molecules to break down, releasing chlorine atoms. The chlorine reacts with ozone in the stratosphere, causing oxygen atoms to form and break down the ozone.
Ozone is found in the stratosphere, between 15 and 30 kilometers in altitude. This layer is composed of ozone molecules, which in turn are made up of three oxygen atoms. The function of this layer is to absorb ultraviolet B radiation and act as a filter to reduce damage.
Ozone layer depletion occurs when a chemical reaction breaks down stratospheric ozone. Incident solar radiation is filtered by the ozone layer, where ozone molecules are penetrated by ultraviolet B radiation. When this happens, the ozone molecules break down into oxygen and nitrogen dioxide. This process is called photolysis, meaning the molecules are broken down by the action of light.
The main reason for the accelerated destruction of the ozone layer is the emission of chlorofluorocarbons. Although we have already mentioned that incident sunlight destroys ozone, it does so in a balanced and neutral way. That is, the amount of ozone decomposed by photolysis is equal to or less than the amount of ozone that can be formed by intermolecular association.
Importance of avoiding the destruction of the ozone layer
The ozone layer extends throughout the stratosphere throughout the world. It is not the same thickness in all areas of the Earth, but its concentration is variable. The ozone molecule is made up of three oxygen atoms and is found in gaseous form both in the stratosphere and on the surface. If we find tropospheric ozone, that is, at the level of the earth's surface, it is polluting and harmful to health.
However, the ozone layer in the stratosphere protects us from the sun's ultraviolet rays. These rays are harmful to our skin, vegetation, and wildlife. Without the ozone layer, we wouldn't be able to go outside without getting sunburned, and skin cancers would be even more widespread globally.
The ozone layer causes much of the solar radiation arriving from outer space to be reflected back, preventing it from reaching the surface. This protects us from these harmful rays.
If the ozone layer weakens to the point that it lets the sun's harmful UVA rays through, it can seriously affect molecules essential to life, such as DNA.
In humans, excessive exposure to such continuous radiation causes serious health effects, such as the development of cancer. In vegetation, it also leads to a reduction in the rate of photosynthesis, resulting in decreased growth and production . Without photosynthesis, plants cannot live or produce oxygen, absorbing CO2 in the process.
Finally, marine ecosystems are also affected down to the first 5 meters of depth (the area with the highest incidence of solar radiation). In these areas of the ocean, the photosynthetic rate of phytoplankton decreases , which is vital since it forms the base of the food chain.
How to take care of it
To protect the ozone layer, governments around the world must implement measures to reduce emissions of these harmful gases. Otherwise, many plants could suffer from solar radiation, skin cancer would increase, and other more serious environmental problems would arise.
On an individual level, as citizens, what you can do is buy aerosol products that do not contain or are made with particles that destroy ozone. Among the most destructive gases of this molecule are:
- CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). They are the most destructive and are released in the form of an aerosol. They have a very long life in the atmosphere and, therefore, those that were released in the middle of the XNUMXth century are still causing damage.
- Halogenated hydrocarbon. This product is found in fire extinguishers. The best thing is to make sure that the extinguisher we buy does not have this gas.
- Methyl bromide. It is a pesticide used in wood plantations. When released into the environment it destroys ozone. The ideal is not to buy furniture made with these woods.
- Do not buy sprays that contain CFCs.
- Do not use halon extinguishers.
- Buy insulating material that does not have CFCs either as is agglomerated cork.
- If a good air conditioning maintenance, we will prevent CFC particles from reaching the ozone layer.
- If the fridge doesn't cool as it should, may leak CFC. The same goes for the vehicle's air conditioning.
- Use the car as little as possible and use public transport or bicycle.
- Buy energy saving light bulbs.
- Always look for the shortest route to travel by car if there is no choice but to take it In this way we will also be looking through the pocket.
- Use air conditioning and heating as little as possible.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the destruction of the ozone layer and how important it is.