Depletion of the Ozone Layer: Its causes, effects, and possible solutions

The depletion of the ozone layer is a major concern today. The ozone layer protects us from the harmful rays of the sun; therefore it is imperative that we preserve it. Since more pollutants are produced today than ever before (because of the major increase in the population), there is a major concern that we create less pollutants to help conserve the ozone layer. In this research paper I will give vital information on how pollution affects the ozone layer and methods instituted to help the ozone layer. In this research paper you will also find out what the ozone layer actually is and the parts that it is composed of. The Earth's atmosphere is divided into several layers. The lowest region, the troposphere, extends from the earth's surface up to about 10 kilometers in altitude. All human activities take place in the troposphere. The next layer, the stratosphere, continues from 10 to 50 kilometers. Most commercial airline traffic occurs in the power part of the stratosphere. Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in a layer in the stratosphere, about 15 to 30 kilometers above the Earth's surface. Ozone is a molecule containing three oxygen atoms. It is blue in color and has a strong odor. Normal oxygen, which we breathe has two oxygen atoms and is odorless. Ozone is much less common than normal oxygen. The ozone layer absorbs a portion of the radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the planet's surface. Most importantly, it absorbs the portion of ultraviolet light called UVB. UVB has been linked to many harmful effects including various types of skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to some crops, certain materials, and some forms of marine life. At any given time, ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the stratosphere. The total amount, however, remains relatively stable. The concentration of the ozone layer can be thought of as a stream's depth at a particular location. While ozone concentrations vary naturally with sunspots, the seasons,