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Ozone

Early discovery of the ozone problem dates back to 1881. .
             W.N. Hartley discovered that Ultra-Violet light reaches earth with little impediment. He realized that UV-B was partly absorbed, while UV-A entered freely. This was later attributed to the level of ozone at high altitudes.
             In 1924, Dobson created a spectrophotometer to measure the ratio between UV-A and UV-B. Dobson created the spectrophotometer to predict weather. While trying to measure seasonal variations, he noticed UV ratio variations. Inadvertently, he created the first measure of ozone levels. This was accomplished by documenting the difference between the unimpeded UV-A with that of the absorbed UV-B.
             Ratio variations became the focus of study. The discrepancy was a mystery because all the compounds discovered were stable. A compound is stable when it has an even number of electrons. A compound with an uneven number of electrons is called a free radical. Free radicals are unstable and were not detectable until a later time when technological advances were made.
             It took over a hundred years to fully understand what ozone is. The ozone is a protective layer that absorbs UV-B. Ozone is a simple molecule consisting of three bound oxygen atoms forming a triangular shape. It is created both naturally and as a result of mankind's pollution. New molecules are naturally created from radiant energy splitting oxygen (O2). Each oxygen molecule bonds with the nearest oxygen after the sun's energy breaks oxygen apart. The second method is by burning fossil fuels. This dirty method also provides the necessary reaction to bind the 3 oxygen molecules. It, however, creates smog. This type is a pollutant and is very damaging to agriculture and public health.
             The ratio of ozone to other air molecules is 3 to 10 million. Although rare, ozone plays a vital role to earth's prolonged existence. Ozone is actually found in two distinct areas. The two types of ozone have drastically different effects.


Essays Related to Ozone

1. Depletion Of The Ozone Layer

... are stable that only exposure to strong UV radiation can break them down. When that happens, the CFC molecule releases atomic chlorine. One chlorine molecule can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules. Some two billion pounds of CFCs are manufactured every year. Gaseous emissions of CFCs, both during manufacturing processes and later, from finished products have caused atmospheric levels of chlorine ... substances grew rapidly as new uses were discovered. Through the 1980's, other uses expanded and the nations of the world became increasingly concerned that these chemicals would further h...

  • Word Count: 2746
  • Approx Pages: 11
  • Grade Level: High School

2. ozone

... alleged cause of the greenhouse effect, CO2, gets blamed for this crime. Government documents try to tackle this problem only failing with contradiction in itself. The publics consensus on the ozone depletion changes daily in degrees, but the fear always returns when this subject gets brought up. People become afraid because of the hyperventilation from the media and environmental groups. Groups ... of force. Other gasses accused of evildoings can also have praise attached to their names. Pollutants such as methane(cow burps) nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide are actually praised for ...

  • Word Count: 4635
  • Approx Pages: 19
  • Grade Level: High School

3. the ozone layer

... worlwide" and "At the same time, 1.6 million additional cataract cases per year could occur" (Envionment Protection Agency). The increase of ultraviolet radiation because of the reduction of ozone will also immune systlem suppression. Scientist have found that overexposure to the sun can alter the function and distribution of white blood cells (disease- fighting cells) in humans, ... diseases and a worldwide increase in sickness. Ultraviolet radiation also attacks DNA in individual cells, this process destroys the basic building blocks of life. The depletion of the ozone layer will just ...

  • Word Count: 2237
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. The Ozone Layer

... chemicals containing chlorine such as CFC's, but also compounds containing bromine, other related halogens and also nitrogen oxides (NOx). The Ozone Layer Chemical processes Ozone is a naturally occurring trace gas, chemical formula O3. In the stratosphere, it serves to absorb many harmful solar UV rays ... are no longer all absorbed and therefore travel through to our atmosphere more easily. Some substances which can react in such a way with ozone are:  CFCs  methyln  chloroform  carbon tetrachloride  halons CFCs are broken down by ultra-violet ... first step requires ...

  • Word Count: 2476
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. depletion of ozone layer

... release nitrogen oxide into the stratosphere.2 In 1974, Molina and Rowland found that human-made chlorofluorocarbons used for making foam, cleaning fluids, refrigerants, and repellents transform into ozone-depleting agents.3 Chlorofluorocarbons stay in the atmosphere for several decades due to their long tropospheric lifetimes. These compounds are carried into the stratosphere where they undergo hundreds of ... Some is recaptured before reaching the stratosphere by soil bacteria and chemicals in the troposphere. The remainder breaks down under exposure to sunlight, freeing bromine to att...

  • Word Count: 1167
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Arctic Ozone Depletion

... of this cancer, but there are also many indications that UV exposure is a key factor in most cases, especially melanoma, the malignant variety of skin cancer. How is Ozone Destroyed? Technically speaking, ozone - as with any other chemical substance - is not "destroyed,"" it is merely transformed into some other chemical compound. Unfortunately, these compounds are not useful in blocking harmful ... ultraviolet radiation. Ironically, increased levels of CFCs, bromide compounds, nitrites, and nitrates released by industry are not only responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer, but...

  • Word Count: 1616
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. The Disappearing Ozone Layer

... 30% per decade). In southern regions, a significant trend for UVR over time was not observed, partially due to increased cloud cover. Thus, in Tasmania, despite a significant ozone reduction of 2.1% per decade, measures of ground level UVR have not increased. Estimating the resultant changes in actual ground-level ultraviolet radiation remains technically complex. Further, the methods and ... comparing different types of instruments-spectroradiometers, broad-band meters, filter radiometers. There is little or no reliable evidence on levels of UV radiation prior to concerns related to ozon...

  • Word Count: 1264
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Ozone

... with calls to freeze or diminish production of chlorinated fluorocarbons. A complex scenario of atmospheric dynamics, solar radiation, and chemical reactions was found to explain the anomalously low levels of ozone during the polar springtime. Recent expeditions to the Arctic regions show that similar processes can occur in the northern hemisphere, but to a somewhat lesser degree due to warmer temperatures ... outside the tropics. Measurements at several ground-based stations have shown corresponding upward trends in CFCs in both the northern and southern hemisphere. Despite rapid phase ...

  • Word Count: 890
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

9. ozone layer

... -violet radiation) at ground level could depress our bodies" immune systems, damage the natural food chain and reduce crop yields (Ehrlich 115). Although ozone makes up less then 1ppm of all the gases in our planet's atmosphere, but it is essential to life on earth. Scientists assume that in ... chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which had been widely used as refrigerants and in aerosols because they are inert and non-toxic, might be capable of depleting the ozone layer (EPA). Scientists M. J. Molina and F.S. Rowland demonstrated in their lab that CFCs could be broken down by ultraviolet light i...

  • Word Count: 1049
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

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