Added: 03/19/2006 |
What is ozone? Why is ozone layer so important for the Earth?If not to go deep into chemical details and to make the phenomenon of ozone comprehensible for everyone, I would say that ozone is colorless gas formed of oxygen under certain circumstances. Ozone layer plays a very important protective role against radiation.
For those who are not satisfied with such simple explanation of zone I will give another one, more complicated. A molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms that is formed by a reaction of oxygen and ultraviolet radiation. A nearly colorless (but faintly blue) gaseous form of oxygen, with a characteristic odor like chlorine. Its formula is O3; its molecular weight is 48. Ozone is found in trace quantities in the Earth's atmosphere at all times, primarily in the stratosphere between heights of about 10 and
I would like to pay your attention to the importance of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun in the process of forming ozone. UV acts as a catalyst for a chemical reaction that breaks apart oxygen molecules which then recombine to form ozone. The absorption of UV by stratospheric ozone and atmospheric oxygen prevents very little ultraviolet radiation to reach earth's surfaces where it can detrimental effects on human health and property. You see that everything in the universe is interconnected and plays its unique significant role.
Unfortunately, ozone layer is becoming thinner and thinner. So far it's a warning signal for the mankind. We should take preventive measures to stop ozone layer depletion. And every one of us can take some measures in our everyday life. In order to understand what measures to take, we should understand what chemicals are harmful for ozone.
These harmful chemicals are Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform, halons, methyl bromide. When released into the air, these man-made chemicals containing chlorine and bromine eventually migrate into higher regions of the atmosphere, including the stratosphere. Though these chemicals are stable in the lower atmosphere, they are broken down into highly reactive forms of chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere by the high levels of UV solar radiation. These chemicals then take part in a series of chain reactions leading to ozone depletion.
I guess you have got puzzled after reading these complicated chemical names. Actually we use the chemicals mentioned above in our everyday life. Thus, CFCs were and in some cases are still used in applications as diverse as refrigerants in refrigerators and air-conditioners, propellants in aerosol spray cans, blowing agents in the manufacture of foams, and cleaning agents for electronic equipment. Tetrachloride and methyl chloroform are widely used as solvents for cleaning metals.
So if you want to save ozone layer you can start even today. Just stop using air-conditioners, aerosol sprays, and cleaning agents for electronic hardware, containing CFCs. Next time when you decide to buy either a spray or a cleaning agent read the label carefully and if it says that no CFCs are contained -"CFCs Free" or "not harmful to environment" you can buy it.
Remember that zone layer depletion leads to global warming and climate change. With depletion of ozone layer the risk of skin cancer and damage to eyes is growing.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
