The ozone layer is a covering of ozone gas present in the stratosphere, between 25 km altitude, which protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation to living beings.
The ozone layer concentrates 90% of the molecules of this gas.
The ozone layer forms a protective shield against ultraviolet rays
How important is the Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is essential for life, as it forms a shield that protects us from ultraviolet radiation. Without it, life on Earth would not be possible.
Ozone gas
Ozone (O3) is one of the gases that make up the atmosphere. It's a molecular form of oxygen, highly reactive.
Yours production occurs in two ways:
- At Troposphere: Produced through the oxidation of oxygen gas (O2) in the presence of nitrous oxide (N2O) and sunlight.
- At Stratosphere: Produced through ultraviolet radiation that acts on the oxygen molecule (O2), breaking it into two oxygen atoms, which each bind to an oxygen molecule (O2).
O effect and function of ozone gas also vary depending on where you are located.
- in the troposphere: At high levels cause air pollution and acid rain, being harmful to plants and human health.
- in the stratosphere: It is made beneficial by absorbing almost 90% of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. Formation of the ozone layer.
Read too:
- What is Atmosphere?
- Atmosphere layers
- Acid rain
- Atmosphere of the Planets
Hole in the ozone layer
You holes in the ozone layer are regions of the stratosphere where the concentration of ozone drops below 50%.
Hole in the ozone layer registered in 2011
Holes in the ozone layer are related to gases originating from human activities.
The main one of these gases is the CFC (chlorofluorocarbons), formed by chlorine, fluorine and carbon. Also on the list are nitric and nitrous oxides and CO2, expelled by vehicles and by the burning of fossil fuels, respectively.
CFCs have long been used in aerosol cans, plastic materials, air conditioners and refrigeration systems.
CFC gases are the main villains of the ozone layer, one CFC molecule can destroy up to 100,000 ozone molecules.
Through Montreal Protocol (1987), it was decided that the use of CFCs should be completely banned by the end of the 20th century.
Consequences of the destruction of the Ozone Layer
Without the protection of the ozone layer, we would have a decrease in the growth rate of plants, which would make less photosynthesis.
Ultraviolet rays also impair the development of aquatic organisms and reduce phytoplankton productivity. This situation causes changes in food chains and in the functioning of ecosystems.
The intense action of ultraviolet rays can also cause several harm to human health, such as:
- DNA degeneration of cells
- Skin cancer
- Blindness
- Muscle deformations and atrophies
- Weakening of the immune system
Ozone Layer and Greenhouse Effect
The ozone layer and the greenhouse effect they are two natural phenomena that guarantee the maintenance of life on Earth.
While the ozone layer protects the Earth from ultraviolet rays, the greenhouse effect ensures an adequate temperature for the survival of living beings.
However, the intensification of the greenhouse effect, through the release of polluting gases, causes an increase in the Earth's average temperature, which characterizes the global warming.
Also read about Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming.
