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Ozone Depletion, Gradual Thinning of Earth's Ozone Layer in The

Ozone depletion is caused by human activities that release chlorine and bromine compounds into the atmosphere. These compounds destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere, especially over Antarctica where up to 65% of ozone has been depleted. Thinning of the ozone layer increases UV radiation at Earth's surface and harms humans through higher skin cancer rates and eye disease, and harms plants and marine life through reduced survival and altered biogeochemical cycles. The main cause is chlorofluorocarbons from aerosols and refrigerants, though laws like New Zealand's Ozone Layer Protection Act and Regulations aim to phase out their use and protect human and environmental health.

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24 views2 pages

Ozone Depletion, Gradual Thinning of Earth's Ozone Layer in The

Ozone depletion is caused by human activities that release chlorine and bromine compounds into the atmosphere. These compounds destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere, especially over Antarctica where up to 65% of ozone has been depleted. Thinning of the ozone layer increases UV radiation at Earth's surface and harms humans through higher skin cancer rates and eye disease, and harms plants and marine life through reduced survival and altered biogeochemical cycles. The main cause is chlorofluorocarbons from aerosols and refrigerants, though laws like New Zealand's Ozone Layer Protection Act and Regulations aim to phase out their use and protect human and environmental health.

Uploaded by

Princess Lheakyrie Casilao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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OZONE DEPLETION

DEFINITION:
Ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth’s ozone layer in the
upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing
gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. The thinning is
most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. Ozone depletion is a
major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV)
radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye
cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage. 
STATISTICS:
 The ozone layer is a belt of naturally occurring ozone gas that sits 9.3 to 18.6
miles above the planet.
Ozone is constantly being formed and broken down in the stratosphere,
sometimes as low as 10 kilometers from the surface.
 One atom of chlorine can destroy more than 100,000 ozone molecules.
 When the sun shines for long periods of the day in the Antarctic, chlorine reacts
with the sun’s ultraviolet rays, destroying ozone on a massive scale: up to 65%.
 Ozone levels have dropped by about 20% in other regions of the world.
 90% of the CFCs released into the atmosphere came from the Northern
Hemisphere.
 For Antarctica, the ozone hole has become a regular feature of the southern
hemisphere with total ozone losses of 60% to 70% reported each spring since
1985.
CAUSES:
Credible scientific studies have substantiated that the cause of ozone layer
depletion is human activity. The main cause for the depletion of ozone is determined as
excessive release of chlorine and bromine from man-made compounds such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, CH 3CCl3 (Methyl
chloroform), CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride), HCFCs (hydro-chlorofluorocarbons),
hydrobromofluorocarbons and methyl bromide are formerly found in aerosol spray cans
and refrigerants that are released into the atmosphere that have directly impact on the
depletion of the ozone layer.
EFFECTS:
When high energy electromagnetic waves reach the Earth’s surface, both the
planet and humans are exposed to several harmful effects due to the ozone layer
depletion.
For humans, direct exposure to UV rays can lead to: Skin cancer such as melanoma,
basal cells or squamous cell carcinomas. Premature aging and other skin damage. Eye
damage such as cataract problems, photokeratitis or snow blindness. Damage or weak
the immune system.
In plants, despite being prepared and adaptable for incrasing levels of UVB, ozone layer
depletion can cause problems such as: form changes on how nutrients are distributed,
on developmental timing phases and on secondary metabolism.
On marine ecosystems, exposure to UVB reduce survival rates of phytoplankton and
harm early developmental stages of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians and other marine
animals. Furthermore, short wave ultraviolet B (UVB) sun rays can also alter terrestrial
and aquatic biogeochemical cycles.
SOLUTIONS:

 Replace halon-based fire extinguishers with others using foam.


 Do not use sprays, and do not buy objects made of plastic foam (dry ice or
freezer).
 Do not use cleaning solvents containing CFCs or ammonia.
 Limit fossil fuel powered transportation
 Prevent any use of CFC’s
 Embrace renewable energies
 Embrace sustainable land use options
 Perchase recycled products whenever possible

LAWS/POLICY:

Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996

Purpose of Act
(1)
The purpose of this Act is to—
(a)
help protect human health and the environment from adverse effects resulting or likely
to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer:
(b)
phase out ozone depleting substances as soon as possible except for essential uses:
(c)
give effect to New Zealand’s obligations under the Convention and the Protocol.
(2)
Every person exercising any power or discretion under this Act shall act in a manner
consistent with that purpose.

The Ozone Layer Protection Regulations 1996


The Ozone Layer Protection Regulations contain the rules relating to specific
substances. Most of the controls are on importing bulk substances. The regulations also
prohibit the import of some goods containing ozone depleting substances.
Important features of the regulations are:

 a full list of substances which are controlled


 prohibition on the import or export in bulk and the manufacture of most controlled
substances
 prohibition on the import or export of hydrofluorocarbons except under a permit
 provision for the import of methyl bromide under permit for quarantine and
preshipment purposes
 prohibition on the import of certain items containing ozone-depleting substances,
including fire extinguishers containing any controlled substances

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