PRESENTATION ON

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

What is Ozone Layer?

 The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the earth’s atmosphere. It
has the potential to absorb around 97-99% of the harmful ultraviolet
radiations coming from the sun that can damage life on earth. If the ozone
layer was absent, millions of people would develop skin diseases and may
have weakened immune systems.
 However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over the
Antarctic. This has focussed their concern on various environmental issues and
steps to control them. The main reasons for the ozone hole are
chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Ozone Layer Depletion

 “Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of  chemical compounds
containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human
activities.”
What is Ozone Layer Depletion
 Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper
atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere
come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy
100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly than it is created.
 Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on exposure to high ultraviolet light,
which then contributes to the ozone layer depletion. Such compounds are known as
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).
 The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine include chlorofluorocarbon,
carbon tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform. Whereas, the
ozone-depleting substances that contain bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and
hydro bromofluorocarbons.
 Chlorofluorocarbons are the most abundant ozone-depleting substance. It is only when
the chlorine atom reacts with some other molecule, it does not react with ozone.
 Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of
ozone-depleting substances and minimize their concentration in the atmosphere to
protect the ozone layer of the earth.
 Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion
The ozone layer depletion is a major concern and is associated with a number of factors. The main causes
responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer are listed below:
 Chlorofluorocarbons
• Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs are the main cause of ozone layer depletion. These are released by
solvents, spray aerosols, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc.
• The molecules of chlorofluorocarbons in the stratosphere are broken down by the ultraviolet
radiations and release chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.
 Unregulated Rocket Launches
• Researches say that the unregulated launching of rockets result in much more depletion of ozone
layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the ozone layer by the
year 2050.
 Nitrogenous Compounds
• The nitrogenous compounds such as NO2, NO, N2O are highly responsible for the depletion of the
ozone layer.
 Natural Causes
• The ozone layer has been found to be depleted by certain natural processes such as Sun-spots and
stratospheric winds. But it does not cause more than 1-2% of the ozone layer depletion.
• The volcanic eruptions are also responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
 “Ozone depleting substances are the substances such as chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetrachloride, hydrofluorocarbons, etc. that are responsible
for the depletion of ozone layer.”

Ozone-Depleting-Substances Sources
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Refrigerators, air-conditioners,
solvents, dry-cleaning agents, etc.
Halons Fire-extinguishers
Carbon tetrachloride Fire extinguishers, solvents
Methyl chloroform Adhesives, aerosols
Hydrofluorocarbons Solvent cleaning, fire extinguishers,
solvent cleaning
 Effects Of Ozone Layer Depletion
The depletion of the ozone layer has harmful effects on the environment. Let us see the major effects
of ozone layer depletion on man and environment.
 Effects on Human Health
o The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun due to the
depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin
diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and an weakend immune system.

 Effects on Animals
o Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.

 Effects on the Environment

o Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The
forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.

 Effects on Marine Life

o Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the
aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the lower food chain
are also affected.
Importance of Ozone layer

  Ozone is concentrated in the lower stratosphere between

15 and 30 km above the earth’s surface – the so-called
‘ozone layer’. Ozone can be produced by numerous
chemical reactions, but the main mechanism in the
atmosphere for its production and removal is absorption of
ultra-violet (UV) radiant energy from the sun.
 The maintenance of enough stratospheric ozone to absorb
harmful UV sunlight is therefore vitally important to all
life forms on earth.
Measures to Prevent the Ozone Depletion


 1) Limit private vehicle driving
 2) Use eco-friendly household cleaning products
 3) Avoid using pesticides
 4) Developing stringent regulations for rocket
launches
 5) Banning the use of dangerous nitrous oxide
INTERNATIONAL MEASURES

1. Montreal protocoal signed in 1987.

2. Comprise of 189 countries now.
3. To reduce CFC substances.

NATINAL LEVEL MEASURES

1. Singapore banned use of CFC products in 1991D.
2. 2. Countries can control the import and
manufacture of CFC product.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion

 The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various programmes
have been launched by the government of various countries to prevent it.
However, steps should be taken at the individual level as well to prevent the
depletion of the ozone layer.
 Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a
global level:
 Avoid Using Pesticides
• Natural methods should be implemented to get rid of pests and weeds
instead of using chemicals. One can use eco-friendly chemicals to remove
the pests or remove the weeds manually.
 Minimize the Use of Vehicles
• The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases that lead to global
warming as well as ozone depletion. Therefore, the use of vehicles should be
minimized as much as possible.
Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion

 Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

• Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and bromine releasing chemicals that
find a way into the atmosphere and affect the ozone layer. These should be
substituted with natural products to protect the environment.

 Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited

• The government should take actions and prohibit the use of harmful nitrous oxide
that is adversely affecting the ozone layer. People should be made aware of the
harmful effects of nitrous oxide and the products emitting the gas so that its use is
minimized at the individual level as well.
 CONCLUSION
There is no doubt that the problem of ozone
depletion exists and deserves extensive research
and attention. With the release of each and every
CFC, our ozone layer takes one small step towards
its destruction. The decision to ban completely CFCs
sooner than later cannot be decided by the United
States or even the United Nations. The entire world
must unite in order to expel this problem forever.
THANK YOU