Ozone Layer Depletion

Living things require a certain condition to survive on the earth. All
of them require right amount of gases, sunlight, temperature, water
and so on. It is the atmosphere which helps in maintaining proper
condition required for the survival of the earth.

Ozone is considered as the critical component of the atmosphere. This
is a special form of oxygen gas. A lot of ozone is present in the
upper part of stratosphere. This is considered as a sub layer called
ozone layer. This is useful in absorbing harmful UV rays that comes
from the sun. This is good ozone because it protects living things.
UV, one of the part of sunlight works for creating and destroying
ozone. This continuous process of creating and destroying of ozone
keeps the right amount of in the ozone layer constant. This ozone
layer which has been created helps to stop UV rays coming from the
sun.

Another type of ozone is harmful to plants and animals and is formed
near the ground. We know that cars and factories release chemicals
called pollutants in the air. When the reaction takes place between
pollutants and oxygen, it forms bad ground level ozone. In the 1970, scientists in Antarctic measured increase in the UV light reaching earth. Later n, it was found that UV light in some areas wasn’t being absorbed by ozone layer than that of the previous years.
Finally, with the help of satellite data, scientists found a hole in
the ozone layer over South Pole.

By 1994, it was found that one half of the ozone level dropped of what
it was in the 1770s. Several signs showed that ozone hole discovered
above Antarctica was expanding towards the equator where more people
live. This ozone hole became a great threat to people and the
environment.

The raising issue encouraged scientists to search the changes in ozone
level. Finally, continuous movement discovered that some factories
release chemicals like CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) that destroy ozone.
The element chlorine present in CFCs is the major problem. We know
that CFCs are used in conditioners, insulating foams and spray paint.
So, more amount of chlorine is released in the atmosphere which has
been a major problem of ozone layer depletion.

Similarly, scientists too found that chemical called Bromine also
destroy ozone. It is found in substance known as ODCs (Ozone Depleting
Chemicals). It can destroy 45 times more ozone than the chlorine found
in CFCs can. ODCs are useful for controlling fire. We must pay attention to the raising issue of global warming. For this, co-operation among people and the governments of many nations is the must.