OZONE LAYER DEPLETION.   Term Paper ID:29161 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Danger of holes in the ozone layer.... More...

6 Pages / 1350 Words 5 sources, 12 Citations, APA Format $24.00 Return to List of Papers

Paper Abstract: Danger of holes in the ozone layer. Function of ozone layer. Man-made depletion. Steps to prevent further depletion and restore the ozone layer through elimination of products that cause it. Dangers to human beings, other animal life, the general ecology, and skin cancer due to increased ultraviolet. Paper Introduction: Dangers of Ozone Layer Depletion The ozone layer, or ozonosphere, is located in the stratosphere surrounding the earth, and is responsible for protecting the life on the planet -- human, plant and animal, including the life in the sea -- from the dangers of overexposure to the ultraviolet light from the sun. The ozone layer essentially changes the ultraviolet rays into a form of radiation which is not harmful. Therefore, "holes" in the ozone layer constitute a danger to all life on earth, which are exposed to the harmful UV rays. What are known as "holes," however, are not truly holes but rather a thinning, to various degrees, in that layer. The ozone layer depletion is man-made, created by chemicals, particularly aerosols. When the depletion of the ozone layer was discovered in the Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Of course, the science which developed the chemicals whichinadvertently depleted the ozone layer was the same science whichdiscovered the depletion itself. R. 12). A report in the Chemical Market Reporter declares that The earth's stratospheric ozone layer is recovering from the effect of chemical emissions, but it will remain vulnerable during the next decade, even if countries comply with international agreements to protect it, predicts a new scientific study (Chemical, 2 2, p. 13). U.S. Meanwhile, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) leveled off in the stratosphere and actually declined in the lower atmosphere, raising hopes for a recovery of the ozone layer. Environmental Protection Agency homepage. 2 2. It is therefore extremely important that the control measures in the Montreal Protocol are strictly respected by all (Chemical, 2 2, p. Whilethe thinning has been reduced, the threat to all life on earth remains andrequires further legal steps internationally, and compliance fromindividuals, industries and nations which produce the materials whichdeplete the ozone. In other words, the nature, causes and effects of the depletion of theozone layer have become increasingly known in the almost two decades ofresearch since the discovery of the "holes." In technical terms, "Ozone[that is, 'good' ozone in the ozone layer rather than 'bad' ozone at groundlevel] is produced via solar ultraviolet photolysis of oxygen and destroyedthrough catalytic cycles involving reactive nitrogen." The depletion of theozone layer is an activity that has been occurring very recently in termsof the history of the planet, specifically due to the "halogen content" ofthe chemicals produced by human industry "over the past decades. When the depletion of the ozone layer was discoveredin the 198 s, steps were first taken to prevent further depletion. The depletion of the ozone layer is the result of "the release ofchlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS),which were used widely as refrigerants, insulating foams, and solvents"(U.S. In other words, the "holes" are the product of humanactivity. The ozone in the ozonelayer is not from automobile and factory exhaust, but rather is a naturally-occurring gas that filters the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, the same spokesman warns that the concentration of chlorine in the stratosphere 'has now reached a maximum, and the ozone layer is still quite vulnerable. It is clear that thedepletion occurred relatively quickly in historical terms, and steps toreverse it have been generally effective, but "ozone recovery will be slow.Pre-198 levels are expected to be reached over 2 to 4 years, and annualfluctuations of ozone hole size are to be expected" (Geographical, 2 1, p.13). 285,No. The ozone layer depletion is man-made, created by chemicals,particularly aerosols. 2 9). (Geographical, 2 1, p. Finally, and amazingly, the Geographical report notes that there is a"growing illegal market in CFCs and halons--more damaging than CFCs -- fromdeveloping countries to Western nations, in spite of unilateral bans"(Geographical, 2 1, p. The Antarctic ozone hole actually "has increased in size over thepast decade, but not as rapidly as during the 198 s." In other words, thedepletion is decreasing, but the situation calls for continued vigilance.Hopefully, they conclude with respect to the other side of the planet,because of steps taken since the 198 s, "A future Arctic polar ozone holesimilar to the Antarctic appears unlikely" (Chemical, 2 2, pp. These uncertainties make it crucial that the world's leaders andcitizenry do not take for granted that the ozone depletion is stopped orthat the layer has been effectively restored. 73, No. This isthe cause of the ozone hole" (Fahey and Ravishankara, 1999, p. 262, No. For people, overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and weakened immune systems. The report notes that In 2 , the hole expanded to an unprecedented size. Geosystems. Christopherson notes the frightening fact that this serious alterationin a natural safeguard to life on earth (i.e., the ozone layer) has takenplace in a relative moment in historical time: The ozone layer is presumed to have been relatively stable over the past several hundred million years.... "OzoneDepletion." If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.