Ozone layer

Depletion
A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
What is Ozone?

 Ozone is a gas with the chemical formula O₃

 Ozone was first discovered by Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1840
 In 1865, Jacques – Louis Soret discovered that ozone is formed from 3
oxygen atoms
 G.M.B. Dobson in 1921 developed a machine which can measure the
concentration of Ozone in the atmosphere named Dobson
Spectrophotometer.
 The concentration of ozone is measured in dobson units. Its thickness if
3mm to 5mm that is 300 to 500 dobson units
 Later in 1930 Sydney Chapman proposed the Chapman cycle where he
explains the formation of Ozone through photodissociation
Chapman cycle

Formation (Creation):
Photolysis of oxygen molecules by higher frequency UV light results in
the production of oxygen atoms.
These oxygen atoms then combine with other oxygen molecules to
form ozone.
The overall reaction is: O₂ + ℎν → 2O (oxygen photodissociation) and O +
O₂ + A → O₃ + A (ozone creation).
Destruction (Ozone Photodissociation):
When ozone (O₃) absorbs UV radiation, it undergoes photodissociation.
This process results in the formation of molecular oxygen (O₂) and
a free oxygen atom (O):
 O₃ + ℎν → O₂ + O
 The free oxygen atom (O) can then react with another ozone molecule
(O₃) to regenerate ozone
 Ozone Layer
 It is a layer in the earth's stratosphere which is about 15-30km above the surface
of the earth that shield most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiations.
 90 percent of the ozone is found in the stratosphere. 90 percent of the ozone is
found in the stratosphere which is known as the good ozone. Also ozone is
found in the troposphere which is called the bad ozone because it functions as a
pollutant formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides and VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) in presence of sunlight.Ozone concentration in the
stratosphere generally ranges from 2 to 8 parts per million which translates to
0.0002% to 0.0008%.
 The highest concentration of O3 is found in the upper portion of the stratosphere
at an altitude of roughly 32 km which can go as high as 15 parts per million
(0.0015 percent)at around -15 degree Celsius where its warmer temperature
enhance the stability of ozone molecules, contributing to higher concentration
 Ozone layer was first discovered by French physicists Charles Fabry and Henry
Buisson in 1913
 Role of  Ozone layer is mainly known for its protective

Ozone layer property that blocks out the harmful

radiations or the UV radiations from the sun
that can cause detrimental effects on the
planet on humans, marine life, terrestrial
vegetation
 UV radiations can causes skin
cancer, sunburns, weakening of immune
system, cataracts, skin and eye cancer in
humans
Then why do we use Sunscreen?
 Sun emits almost all wavelengths
of radiations shown in the
electromagnetic spectrum.
 Gamma rays, X-rays, UV rays
comes under harmful
category where long exposure to
human beings can cause harmful
effects. They have the ability to go
inside our body and can change
our DNA
 Also in the ultraviolet range there
are 3 categories : UV-A, UV-B, UV-C
 UV-C having the shortest
wavelength (100nm to 280nm)
is the most dangerous one,
then UV-B and UV-A
 The ozone layer blocks mainly
the X-Rays, Gamma rays and
UV-C radiations
 UV-B having a wavelength 280
to 315nm is partially absorbed
and some of it passes through
 And UV-A with wavelength 315
to 400nm is almost not
blocked by ozone and most of
them passes through.
 Sunscreen protects us from UV-A radiations and the remaining
UV-B radiations that passes through.
 Normally, sunscreen usually blocks UV-B radiations. That's
why it is recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
that blocks both UV-A and UV-B
 Ozone layer depletion
 Ozone layer depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone concentration in the earth's
stratosphere.
 From 1950s-1960s many research stations in Antarctica were set up to study space, earth
and weather. Some of these stations were specifically made to monitor the ozone layer. In
fact it was one of these stations that discovered the Ozone hole
 In August 1964 for the first time, satellites were used to measure ozone concentration.
These were weather satellites from NASA's Nimbus program
 In 1970s, the NASA were worried that the spacecrafts that they were sending
to the moon might disturb the atmosphere and might hurt the ozone layer. Fortunately,
the spacecraft didn't have any negative effects.
 However, the negative effects were caused by some other small daily things. A chemical
that was in your hair spray bottle, in the can of shaving cream and was used as a solvent
in the fridge. These chemicals are known as Chlorofluorocarbons in short CFCs
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
 In June 1974, a controversial scientific paper was published by 3 scientists namely
Paul J. Crutzen, Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland which won the Nobel prize
in 1995.
 In the scientific paper, they showed how the ozone in the atmosphere is getting
depleted due to CFCs. These scientists warned that the CFCs have a lifespan of 40-
150 years and they have the potential to completely destroy the ozone layer.
 By that point of time, CFCs had become very common chemicals and were used in
a lot of manufacturing applications that were used in daily lives.
 The advantage of CFCs was that they were stable on the ground. However when
they would go up into the atmosphere and collide with the radiation of the sun,
they would release Chlorine in the atmosphere. And after the release of chlorine
a very dangerous reaction takes place.
Reaction of CFCs with ozone

 Chlorine gas react with ozone molecule and form oxygen and
chlorine monoxide
Cl + O3 ----> O2 + ClO
 And when chlorine monoxide react with Oxygen atoms as already
present in the atmosphere (as shown in the chapman cycle)
gives Oxygen and Chlorine atom
ClO + O -----> O2 + Cl
 This results in a dangerous loop where one single Chlorine atom
can break apart thousands of ozone molecule
Other Ozone Depletion Substances
(ODS)
 Halons: Halons are chemicals containing bromine and/or chlorine. They were
commonly used in fire extinguishers and firefighting systems.
 Methyl Chloroform: methyl chloroform was used as a solvent and degreaser in
industrial applications.
 Methyl Bromide: Methyl bromide was used as a fumigant to control pests in
agriculture and other applications.
 Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs): HCFCs are compounds containing hydrogen,
chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. They were developed as alternatives to CFCs due
to their lower ozone-depleting potential. However, HCFCs still contribute to ozone
depletion, albeit to a lesser extent than CFCs. Their production is being phased
out under the Montreal Protocol, with a complete phase-out scheduled for 2030.
Ozone hole
 Later, many scientific researches were done to find out the truth of
the scientific paper and found out to be true that each chlorine atom
present in the CFCs was causing a devastating effect on the ozone
layer.
 But scientists estimated that if thigs continue like this, then due to
CFCs about 2 to 4% of the ozone layer would be destroyed by the
year 2099. So people really didn't worry much.
 In 1985, Joseph Farman stationed in a research station in
Antarctica made a ground breaking discovery that
the concentration of ozone in the ozone layer had decreased
by 40%.
 Largest ozone hole was
observed in September
2000, with a size of
approximately 29.9 million
square kilometers .
Montreal Protocol

 After the finding of ozone hole in 1985, in 1986 the United

Nations began negotiations on it. They drafted a treaty to ban
CFCs all over the world.
 In 1987, a Montreal Protocol was formed to protect the ozone
layer by phasing out the production of ozone - depleting
substances (ODS). It came into force in 1989.
 This treaty became the first United Nations treaty in global
history, which was signed by every country. All 198 member
countries of the UN ratified this treaty.
 The global CFCs consumption was 800,000 metric tons in
the 1980s. By 2014 it fell to only 156 metric tons. 99% of CFCs
were eliminated
 • The global CFCs
consumption was
800,000 metric
tons in the 1980s.
By 2014 it fell to
only 156 metric
tons. 99%
of CFCs were eli
minated

 The Montreal Protocol is widely regarded as one of the most

successful environmental treaties in history.
Other key measures
Scientific Research and Monitoring: Rigorous scientific research and monitoring programs helped
track the state of the ozone layer.
 Satellite observations, ground-based measurements, and modeling studies provided critical
data on ozone levels, allowing scientists to assess progress and identify areas for
improvement.
 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): While not directly focused on ozone depletion, the
MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), specifically Goal 7, contributed to protecting the
planet. They practically eliminated global consumption of ozone-depleting substances,
promoted tree planting to offset forest loss, and increased the percentage of total land and
coastal marine areas worldwide.
 International Cooperation: Ozone depletion is a global issue, and international cooperation is
essential. Countries collaborate through treaties, conventions, and agreements to address
this challenge collectively. The success of the Montreal Protocol exemplifies the power of
global collaboration.
 Corporate Responsibility: Many companies have voluntarily phased out the use of harmful
chemicals and adopted sustainable practices. Corporate social responsibility initiatives
contribute to reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes.
Conclusion

The consequences of ozone depletion are far-reaching, including

increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can
cause skin cancer, cataracts, and harm ecosystems.
 However, global efforts have made a significant impact. The
Montreal Protocol, international cooperation, and scientific research
have led to substantial reductions in ozone-depleting substances.
The healing process has begun, and the Antarctic ozone hole is
expected to recover by the 2060s.
 As we move forward, continued vigilance, public awareness, and
sustainable practices are essential. By safeguarding the ozone layer,
we not only protect ourselves but also ensure a healthier planet for
generations to come. Let us remain committed to preserving this
vital shield that shields us from the sun’s harmful rays.
 Thank You

Haobam Roshni
2022/1462
BA (Hons) Political science
Environmental science - II