OZONE LAYER
What is ozone layer??
The ozone layer is a thin part of the Earth's atmosphere that absorbs almost all of the sun's harmful ultraviolet light. It is also best defined as The ozone layer or ozone shield that has a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere
The atmosphere can be divided into many layers -troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere
The zone layer is located in the lower stratosphere between 10km and 80km above the ground face with its highest concentration at about 25km above the ground. Ozone is related to oxygen However, While one molecule of oxygen contains two atom of oxygen and has the formula O, one molecule of ozone contains three atom of oxygen and has the formula O3
The sun gives out different kinds of energy radiation. These include:
heat which keep the earth and all things in the earth warm.
visible light which enables us to see and provides energy for photosynthesis.
Ultraviolet rays, which are not visible to human beings and are very harmful.
Ultraviolet rays have very high energy . they can cause skin cancer if they strike the bodies of human beings and other animals. They can also cause harmful changes in plant
IMPORTANCE
The importance of the ozone layer is that it absorbs ultraviolet rays which are emitted by the sun as they pass through the atmosphere, thus shielding human beings and other living things from harmful ultraviolet rays
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OF OZONE
The scientific studies of the atmosphere show that the ozone layer has been gradually depleting(reducing) over the last few decades. The main cause of destruction of the ozone layer is considered to be the accumulation in the atmosphere of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) the chemical used for refrigeration ad propellants in aerosols and in other manufacturing processes
The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects, some of which are Known while others are yet unkown. As the ozone layer is depleted ,there will be an increase in skin cancer among human beings and other damage. Cancer may cause death the ultraviolet radiations may reduce crop yields affecting availability of human food. Ultraviolet rays may also kill or harm small water plant ,which form the beginning of food chains for aquatic organisms including fish if these aquatic plant are destroyed,fish,an important food,will become scarce
Many countries are taking steps to control the depletion of the ozone layer .180 countries of the world have signed the Montreal Protocol, which calls for the elimination of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. Many nations have stooped the production of chlorofluorocarbons. Substitute chemicals which are enviromentally friendly are being developed and used in place of those that destroy the ozone layer