Ozone layer

 The ozone layer is a layer in earths athmospher

which contains relatively high concentrations of
ozone (O3). This layer absorbs 97–99% of the
Sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is
damaging to life on Earth.[1] It is mainly located
in the lower portion of the stratosphere from
approximately 13 to 40 kilometres (8.1 to 25
mi) above Earth, though the thickness varies
seasonally and geographically
 The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by
the French physicists Charles Fabry and
Henri Buisson. Its properties were explored in
detail by the British meteorologist
G. M. B. Dobson, who developed a simple
spectrophotometer (the Dobsonmeter) that
could be used to measure stratospheric
ozone from the ground
.Between 1928 and 1958 Dobson
established a worldwide network
of ozone monitoring stations
which continues to operate today.
The "Dobson unit", a convenient
measure of the columnar density
of ozone overhead, is named in
his honor.
Advancing destruction of the
ozone layer
 The ozone layer, situated in the
stratosphere about 15 to 30 km
above the earth's surface, plays
the important role of "space suit"
that protects us living beings by
absorbing harmful ultraviolet
radiation (UVB) from the sun.
 The ozone layer is disappearing at
a particularly high rate in high-
latitude areas.
In the Antarctic Circle, a large
ozone hole has been observed for
eight consecutive years from
1989 through 1996.
◦ NB: m atm-cm, milli-atmosphere
centimeter indicates total ozone
amount, i.e., the amount of ozone
contained in a vertical air column in
the atmosphere; 300 atm-cm has a
thickness of 3 mm when ozone in
the air column is entirely compressed
at 0 and 1 atmospheric pressure.
Impact of ozone layer destruction
 CFC, chlorofluorocarbon, is the collective
name for compounds made of carbon,
fluorine, chlorine and hydrogen. Because of
their stable, harmless and non-combustible
properties, they are widely used in everyday
applications such as cleansing agents for
electronic components, coolants for air
conditioners, foaming agents for the
manufacture of insulating materials and so
on. CFC variations include HCFC and HFC.
CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon)

Because of CFC's strong ozone

layer-destroying effect, its
production was totally banned at
the end of 1995.
It is necessary to ensure proper
handling of CFC in appliances
currently in use.
HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon)

Although less
powerful than CFC in
destroying the ozone
layer, HCFC must be
also contained.
Mechanism of ozone layer destruction by CFCs

 Since CFCs are chemically stable, when

released into the atmosphere they pass
through the troposphere at about 20 km
altitude without decomposing, reaching the
stratosphere, where they are chemically
decomposed by short-wavelength ultraviolet
rays, releasing chlorine atoms. In a chain
reaction, the chlorine atoms destroy the
ozone layer in the stratosphere.
Mechanism of Ozone Layer Destruction by CFC in Stratosphere
Prediction of future ozone layer
destruction
 The 1994 general report of the scientific,
environmental impact and technological
economic assessment panel of the UNEP
predicted that the amount of chlorine and
bromine would peak in 1994 in the
troposphere, while in the stratosphere it would
reach peak 3 - 5 years later and begin to
decrease, provided that all the signatory
countries observe the revised Montreal
Protocol of 1992
 From this, it is predicted that the
global ozone decrease will continue
during the remaining years of the 20th
century, but that if other factors
remain unchanged, the ozone layer
will begin to be restored in the early
21st century and the Antarctic ozone
hole will disappear around the year
2045.
Effective Straospheric Chlorine
Concentration
Destruction Of The Ozone Layer
- Presentation Transcript
 Destruction of the Ozone Layer The
ozone layer is a layer in Earth’s
atmosphere which contains relatively
high concentrations of ozone (O3).
This layer absorbs 93-99% of the
sun's high frequency
ultravioletlight, which is potentially
damaging to life on earth.
Problem Description

◦ Despite Ozone Layer is vitally important to

life because it absorbs biologically harmful
ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from the
Sun, but it is being destroyed, forming a
big hole in it that is commonly referred to
as the ozone hole . It is particularly
created over Antarctica where exists a
special condition that accelerates the
depletion of the ozone layer.
Causes

◦ Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contain fluorine, carbon and

chlorine atoms. Besides this, they are considered to be
the main cause of Ozone depletion.
◦ CFCs are widely used as coolants in refrigeration and air
conditioners, as solvents in cleaners, particularly for
electronic circuit boards, as a blowing agents in the
production of foam (for example fire extinguishers), and
as propellants in aerosols.
◦ A chlorine atom reacts with an ozone molecule, taking an
oxygen atom with it (forming ClO) and leaving a normal
oxygen molecule. The chlorine monoxide (i.e., the ClO)
can react with a second molecule of ozone (i.e., O3) to
yield another chlorine atom and two molecules of oxygen.