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Ozone Depletion

            
             The ozone layer is the earth's protection against harmful ultra-violet rays that cause cancer. The ozone is a region of the earth's atmosphere that is 12 to 30 mi above the earth's surface. (www.encarta.msn.com) The layer of the Earth's atmosphere that surrounds us is called the troposphere. The stratosphere, the next higher layer, extends about 10-50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. Stratospheric ozone is a naturally occurring gas that filters the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. (www.factmonster.com) .
             The ozone's job is to absorb much of the radiation that the sun gives off. There are two forms of this radiation that come from the sun: visible light and ultra-violet light. Visible light waves are the only electromagnetic waves we can see with are eyes and ultra-violet light is the radiation that humans have to protect themselves against. (http://imagers.gsfc.nasa.gov) Humans on earth are destroying the very thing that protects us and allow us to continue to live on this earth. Without our ozone all human and living things on this earth will seize to existence. To protect our home we need to evaluate the causes, the effects and the future of ozone depletion.
             The Cause.
             What is the cause of our depleting ozone? It is believe to be caused by many of the things we used in our everyday lives: cars, refrigerators and aerosol cans. The ingredients that are in these items are compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), which was created in 1928 and other pollutes like halons that are used in fire extinguishers. (www.factmonster.com) When CFCs reach the stratosphere, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes them to break apart and release chlorine atoms, which react with ozone, starting chemical cycles of ozone destruction that deplete the ozone layer. One chlorine atom can break apart more than 100,000 ozone molecules. (www.greenpeace.org) .
             Chlorofluorocarbons and these other pollutants are spread into the upper atmosphere by the wind.


Essays Related to Ozone Depletion

1. the ozone layer

... chains, would loose their mobility, reproduction ability, a decrease in photosythetic activity and orientation in these small organisms. Scientific proof has demonstrated a direct reduction in phytoplankton production due to ozone depletion-related increases in ultraviolet radiation. Damage to the early developmental stages of shrimp, fish, crabs, amphibians and other animals has also been linked to ultraviolet radiation exposure. Greenpeace said, ... " a sustained 16% ozone depletion could lead to a loss of up to 7 million tons of fish per year." Furthermore, the population of all othe...

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

2. depletion of ozone layer

... reactions in addition to chlorine and bromine reactions on stratospheric clouds that destroy the ozone.8 Some ozone depletion is due to volcanic eruptions. Analysis of the El Chichon volcanic eruption in 1983 found ozone destruction in areas of higher aerosol concentration (Hofmann and Solomon, "Ozone Destruction through Heterogeneous Chemistry Following the Eruption of El Chichon"). They deduced that the ... them vulnerable to the reaction with hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the lower atmosphere." The reactions in the troposphere remove the chlorine before it reaches the stratosphere where ...

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

3. 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 such ... 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...

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

4. Depletion Of The Ozone Layer

... every year. Although CFC use has been greatly reduced in recent years, CFC molecules already released in the lower atmosphere will be making their way into the stratosphere and further ozone depletion is expected. As a result, experts anticipate an increase in skin cancers, more cataracts, and reduced yields of some crops. The initial concern about the ... CFCs on a n interim basis in developed countries until 2020 and until 2016 in developing countries. To monitor ozone depletion on a global level in 1991, NASA launched the seven-ton Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. Orbiting the Ea...

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

5. Depletion of the Ozone Layer

... that chlorine comes from natural sources like volcanic eruptions and does not cause permanent damage (Cagin 6). NASA researches claim that they have evidence that shows CFCs are to blame for ozone depletion. Natural chlorine is only about 1/5 of the chlorine in the stratosphere because most of it dissolves in the rainwater before it reaches the ... over the next 50 years (Cagin 10). Now that most Americans know the danger of CFCs and the depletion of the ozone layer, what can be done? There is now evidence that shows that protective gear can help shield humans from the harmful effects o...

  • Word Count: 1231
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Ozone

... . Consumption is increasing at an unprecedented rate resulting in higher pollution levels and an increase in new environmentally harmful products. A relatively new product, Chlorofluorocarbon has been the major contributor to ozone depletion. In 1928, DuPont Chemical created chlorofluorocarbons. CFCs are non-toxic, non-flammable and non-reactive with other chemical compounds. CFCs were used as a refrigerant in car and home air ... attacked and corrected some of the initial claims. Originally, it was published that UV-B is increasing at 35% per year. In reality, the critics showed that the...

  • Word Count: 3086
  • Approx Pages: 12
  • Has Bibliography

7. Ozone Depletion

... body. These rays can cause skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts and immune system suppression. There are two types of skin cancer that ozone depletion effects, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma has been increasing in the world rapidly and is believed to be caused by over ... expensive process would have to be repeated annually. The most obvious solution would be to minimize the CFC's which is the major source of ozone depletion. Replacing CFC's with hydrocarbons and hydroflurocarbons (HCF's) which are non toxic, stable and chemically inactive would be the best approach ...

  • Word Count: 1635
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

8. ozone depletion

... existences is not protected then we are ultimately doomed. We as people of the world need to come together and almost completely phase out the production of ozone depletetting molecules. Ozone depletion characterize the environmental problems we as humans face today: it is global and the direct, however unintended result of human industry and if not regulated can cause ... reactive gas and can damage lung tissue. It can also damage plants and buildings. According to scientists, certain man-made chemicals are major contributors to the problem of ozone depletion. "These chemicals are calle...

  • Word Count: 1505
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

9. Arctic Ozone Depletion

... Canada, Asia, and Russia, plus the nations of Finland, Iceland, and Greenland (Rowlands, 210). NASA officials attribute the more recent depletion of the ozone layer to natural meteorological processes, pointing out the fact that, if industrial chemicals are the cause of ozone depletion, the first holes in the layer should have appeared over the Arctic region, or over North America and Europe. The word ... retinal damage caused by increased UV levels. And the threat of skin cancer is only one of many skin complaints that have been linked to excessive UV exposure. Dangers of Ozone Depleti...

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

10. Ozone Depletion

... existences is not protected then we are ultimately doomed. We as people of the world need to come together and almost completely phase out the production of ozone depletetting molecules. Ozone depletion characterize the environmental problems we as humans face today: it is global and the direct, however unintended result of human industry and if not regulated can cause ... reactive gas and can damage lung tissue. It can also damage plants and buildings. According to scientists, certain man-made chemicals are major contributors to the problem of ozone depletion. "These chemicals are calle...

  • Word Count: 1470
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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