Climate Change Due to Ozone Layer Destruction

Aulia Salsabila, Muh Sabil Iksan, Alda Pranastuti, Muh. Irfan Al-Ashari

Abstract

The ozone layer is a layer of gases present in Earth's stratosphere, which plays an important
role in protecting our planet from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the sun.
However, over the past few decades, there has been serious damage to the ozone layer due to
human activities. This abstract will discuss the impact of damage to the ozone layer on the
environment and human health. The main cause of damage to the ozone layer is the use of
chemicals containing chlorine and bromine, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons,
in various industrial applications such as air cooling, aerosol sprays, and fire suppression.
Exposure to these chemicals causes the release of chlorine and bromine into the stratosphere,
where they destroy ozone molecules. The main impact of damage to the ozone layer is
increased exposure to UV-B and UV-C reaching the Earth's surface. UV-B and UV-C
radiation can cause a variety of health problems in humans, including skin cancer, cataracts,
immune system disorders, and skin problems. In addition, plants and animals can also be
negatively affected, such as disruption in plant growth and a decrease in the population of
animals sensitive to UV radiation.

Keywords: ozone layer and cfc.

DEFINITION AND FORMATION OF THE OZONE LAYER

Ozone was discovered by Christian Friedrich Schonbein in 1840. Ozone is a molecule

consisting of three oxygen atoms denoted by the symbol O3. Although ozone can be found in
small amounts in all layers of the atmosphere, due to chemical processes and radiation, its
presence is not very significant. Almost about 90 percent of the amount of ozone in the
atmosphere is in the upper layer known as the stratosphere, which is located about 15-50 km
above the earth's surface. The region that contains the largest concentration of ozone is called
the ozone layer. Ozone forms dark blue liquids at temperatures below -112 C, and dark dark
blue liquids at temperatures below -193 C. In addition, it has a harsh, nose-piercing odor and
is formed at low levels in air due to electric currents such as lightning, and by high energies
such as electromagnetic radiation. Ozone is a toxic gas so that when it is near the ground
surface it will be dangerous and if inhaled can damage the lungs and even cause death. In
1975, it was feared that human activity would threaten the ozone layer. Therefore, at the
request of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), WMO started
Global Ozone Investigation and Monitoring Project to coordinate ozone monitoring and
investigation over the long term. All data from monitoring sites around the world is delivered
to the World Ozone Data Center in Toronto, Canada, where it is available to the international
scientific community. In 1977, a UNEP expert meeting took action on the World Plan on the
ozone layer; 1987, the Montreal Protocol was signed, a treaty for the protection of the ozone
layer. The protocol was later ratified by 36 countries including the United States. 1990 A total
ban on the use of CFCs since proposed by the European Community (now the European
Union) in 1989, which was also approved by US President GeorgeBush.In 1991 to monitor
ozone loss globally, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched
the Atmospheric Research Satellite.The 7-ton satellite orbits at an altitude of 600 km (372
miles) to measure ozone variations at various altitudes and provide the first clear picture of
the chemistry of the atmosphere above. In 1995, more than 100 countries agreed to gradually
phase out production of the pesticide methyl bromide in developed countries. This material is
estimated to cause a reduction in the ozone layer by 15 percent by 2000. The depletion of the
ozone layer will cause more ultraviolet radiation rays to enter the earth. This ultraviolet
radiation can have an effect on human health, wiping out marine life, ecosystems, reducing
agricultural and forest output. The main effect on humans is an increase in skin cancer
because in addition it can damage the eyes including cataracts and may also weaken the
body's immune system. In agriculture, the reception of ultraviolet light in plants can destroy
the world's major crop yields. The results showed that the yield of plants such as "barley" and
"oats" showed a decrease due to the higher reception of radiation rays. Plants are expected to
experience growth slowness, even tend to be stunted, thus damaging crop yields and existing
forests. This full radiation can also kill the young fish, crabs and shrimp in the ocean, as well
as reduce the amount of plankton that is one of the food sources of most marine animals.
Damage to the ozone layer also has a direct influence on the warming of the earth which is
often referred to as
"Greenhouse effect".
The ozone layer is a gas that is naturally present in the atmosphere. Ozone is found in the
atmosphere in the stratosphere. Ozone is the result of a reaction between oxygen and
ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Ozone is commonly used in the field of medicine to treat
patients. The way of treatment is supervised and has widespread use. One such treatment is
the treatment of sunburn. While in the industrial field, ozone is used to repel germs in
antiseptics before being put in bottles. In addition, ozone can also help eliminate pollution in
water and help the flocculation process. Flucollation is the process of combining molecules to
help the filter remove iron and arsenic.

BENEFITS OF THE OZONE LAYER

The Ozone layer is very beneficial for all life on earth because it functions as:
1) Protect living things on earth by absorbing almost 90% of ultraviolet radiation emitted by
the sun. It is well known that UV rays are very harmful and can cause:
a. Skin cancer
b. Cataracts
c. Genetic damage to human, animal and plant cells.
d. Decreased immune system of animals, plants and organisms living in water
e. Reducing agricultural yields and and damaging crops
f. Kill the young fish, crabs and shrimp in the ocean, and reduce the amount of plankton that
is one of the food sources of most marine animals

 Causes of ozone layer depletion

 Chloro fluoro carbon (CFC)

CFCs are man-made that increase ozone depletion rates. CFCs are organic
compounds containing only carbon, chlorine, and fluorine produced as volatile
derivatives of methane, ethane, and propane. CFCs are widely used by modern
society, even in countless ways. Uses such as refrigerators, foam manufacturing, and
solvents for electronic factories. The life span of CFCs is that 1 molecule released can
 be lost within 50 to 100 years in the atmosphere. In about five years, CFCs move up
into the stratosphere for 10-50 kilometers. Many scientists are concerned that CFC
chemicals, commonly used as refrigerants and aerosol gases, pose a threat to the
ozone layer. When released into the atmosphere, chlorine-containing substances will
be broken down by sunlight. So chlorine can react and destroy ozone molecules. One
molecule of CFCs is capable of destroying up to 100,000 ozone molecules. So the use
of CFCs in aerosols is banned in the United States and some other countries.
Chemicals such as bromine, halocarbons, and nitrogen oxides from fertilizers can also
attack the ozone layer.

 Vehicular pollution
Carbon monoxide produced by vehicles is also capable of damaging the ozone layer.
The more the volume of the vehicle, the more carbon monoxide gas is emitted. If
carbon monoxide gas is abundant in the air, the ozone layer is depleting rapidly.

 Factory pollution
The smoke produced by the plant also has an effect in the destruction of the ozone
layer. The gases released can damage the ozone layer and pollute the air. Even liquid
and solid waste produced by factories, can damage the environment.

 Deforestation
Forest clearing or excessive deforestation adversely affects the air quality on earth.
Carbon gas that damages the ozone layer cannot be absorbed by plants. So there is no
longer a barrier to absorb these gases to help reduce ozone damage

PREVENTION AND COUNTERMEASURES OF OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

In maintaining the ozone layer, all people in the world must act, namely
By the way :
1) Reduce or no longer use household products that contain substances that can damage the
earth's protective layer (Ozone-Depleting Substances) from UV rays.
2) Always use products with ozone-friendly logos.
3) Using a fire extinguisher that does not contain Haloncarbon.
4) Check and maintain refrigeration/temperature control equipment and fire extinguishing
systems periodically to ensure the absence of BPO leaks (CFC, HCFC or Halon)
5) Ensure that CFCs / HCFC / Halon in the system are recovered and recycled in the process
of maintenance and repair of cooling or fire extinguishing systems.
6) Send unused CFC/HCFC/Halon to used BPO processing facilities such as Halon Bank,
CFC Reclamation Center or BPO Destruction.
7) Replacing equipment that has the potential to produce ozone-depleting substances with
other more environmentally friendly alternatives such as power generation from solar cells,
wind or waterfall currents / turbines.
8) Efforts are needed to increase public awareness and active participation in ozone layer
protection programs, understanding of countermeasures against ozone layer depletion,
introducing materials, processes, products, and technologies that do not damage the ozone
layer by holding "Save Our Earth" seminars.
9) Do not burn forests or cut down trees illegally.

COUNTERMEASURES AGAINST OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

The issue of ozone layer depletion has been made an international issue by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since 1987. At the request of the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), WMO initiated a Global Ozone Investigation and
Monitoring Project to coordinate long-term ozone monitoring and investigation. All data from
worldwide monitoring research is delivered to the World Ozone Data Center in Toronto,
Canada, where it is available to the international scientific community.

In 1977, a meeting of UNEP experts took action on the World Plan on the ozone layer,
with the signing in 1987 of the Montreal Protocol, a treaty for the protection of the ozone
layer. The protocol was later ratified by 36 countries including the United States. Then in
1990 it announced a total ban on the use of CFCs since it was proposed by the European
Community (now the European Union) in 1989, which was also approved by the President of
the United States, George Bush.

To monitor ozone loss globally, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) launched the Atmospheric Research Satellite. Satellites with weight These 7 tons
orbit at an altitude of 600 km (372 miles) to measure ozone variations at various altitudes and
provide the first clear picture of the chemistry of the atmosphere above.

The attention of countries in the world to the depletion of the ozone layer actually
existed before the birth of the Montreal Protocol. That is with the creation of policies in the
protection of the ozone layer in 1981 through the decision of the UNEP Governing Council, a
working group consisting of representatives from several countries. This working group
drafted a concept "Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer."

Until then in 1985 this document was known as the Vienna Convention, which
contains the protection of the ozone layer. This document was adopted by the countries of the
European Union as well as 21 other countries of the world. The Vienna Convention was the
starting point of the movement to save the ozone layer. The Vienna Convention is the legal
basis for the protection of the ozone layer at the international level which requires all States
parties to cooperate in carrying out observations, research, and information exchange in order
to gain a better understanding and assess the impact of human actions on the ozone layer and
the impact of the ozone layer on human health and the environment.

Shortly after that came the Montreal Protocol on September 16, 1987. The Montreal
Protocal contains rules for monitoring the production, consumption and trade of ozone layer
depleting substances. The protocol lists the types of chemicals included in the watch list as
well as the schedule for the elimination of each type of BPO. The Montreal Protocol was later
refined through the London Amendment (1989), the Copenhagen Amendment (1992), the
Montreal Amendment (1997) and the Beijing Amendment (1999).

CONCLUSION

The ozone layer is the layer that protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
This layer is in the stratospheric layer of the earth which is located about 15-50 km above the
earth's surface. Along with the development of the times, the use of materials containing
Ozone Depleting Substances (BPO) has been widely used by the world community until now.
Thus causing damage to the ozone layer with the formation of the ozone hole.

Therefore, prevention and countermeasures are carried out by all people of the world to
anticipate damage to the ozone layer. Actions that can be taken by the world community to
prevent the depletion of the ozone layer include the following:
1. Reduce or no longer use household products that contain substances that can damage
the ozone layer.
2. Replacing equipment needs that have the potential to produce ozone-depleting
substances with other environmentally friendly alternatives
3. Increase public awareness and active participation in ozone layer protection programs,
understanding of countermeasures against ozone layer depletion, introduce materials,
processes, products, and technologies that do not damage the ozone layer by holding
seminars and counseling regularly in various community organizations. The function
of the atmosphere includes protecting the earth from the heat of ultraviolet rays and
red infa from the sun, especially the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Currently the
ozone layer on earth has thinned and has even been covered in both kurubs of the
earth, so that red infa rays can penetrate the earth's atmosphere and cannot be
reflected back. Which can eventually raise the earth's temperature and the condition of
the earth is getting hotter. Ozone depletion due to the use of CFC (Carbon Fluoro
Oxide), Freon, Foem, Methanol gases as a result of the use of air conditioners, foam
and plastic items. The increase in the earth's temperature results in a massive melting
of glaciers at both poles of the earth which can raise sea levels over time. This could
submerge coastal or low-lying cities in the next few decades.