Ozone Layer Depletion
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, Vol.2, No.1, February 2011
ISSN: 2010-0264
Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Effects: A
Review
Sivasakthivel.T and K.K.Siva Kumar Reddy
Abstract - There are many situations where human activities have significant effects on the environment. Ozone layer damage is one of them. The objective of this paper is to review the origin, causes, mechanisms and bio effects of ozone layer depletion as well as the protective measures of this vanishing layer. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the ozone layer is the anticipated increase in the amounts of ultraviolet radiation received at the surface of the earth and the effect of this on human health and on the environment. The prospects of ozone recovery remain uncertain.
In the absence of other changes, stratospheric ozone abundances should rise in the future as the halogen loading falls in response to regulation. However, the future behaviour of ozone will also be affected by the changing atmospheric abundances of methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, sulphate aerosol, and changing climate.
Index Terms – Bio effects, chlorofluorocarbon, Ozone Layer
Depletion, Protection.
I. INTRODUCTION
The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). This layer absorbs 93-99% of the sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to life on earth [1]. Over
91% of the ozone in Earth's atmosphere is present here.[1] It is mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from approximately 10 km to 50 km above Earth, though the thickness varies seasonally and geographically[2]. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists
Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Its properties were explored in detail by the British meteorologist G. M. B.
Dobson,
ISSN: 2010-0264
Ozone Layer Depletion and Its Effects: A
Review
Sivasakthivel.T and K.K.Siva Kumar Reddy
Abstract - There are many situations where human activities have significant effects on the environment. Ozone layer damage is one of them. The objective of this paper is to review the origin, causes, mechanisms and bio effects of ozone layer depletion as well as the protective measures of this vanishing layer. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the ozone layer is the anticipated increase in the amounts of ultraviolet radiation received at the surface of the earth and the effect of this on human health and on the environment. The prospects of ozone recovery remain uncertain.
In the absence of other changes, stratospheric ozone abundances should rise in the future as the halogen loading falls in response to regulation. However, the future behaviour of ozone will also be affected by the changing atmospheric abundances of methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, sulphate aerosol, and changing climate.
Index Terms – Bio effects, chlorofluorocarbon, Ozone Layer
Depletion, Protection.
I. INTRODUCTION
The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). This layer absorbs 93-99% of the sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to life on earth [1]. Over
91% of the ozone in Earth's atmosphere is present here.[1] It is mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from approximately 10 km to 50 km above Earth, though the thickness varies seasonally and geographically[2]. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists
Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Its properties were explored in detail by the British meteorologist G. M. B.
Dobson,