The Depletion and Recovery of the Ozone Layer

This assignment delves into the critical topic of the ozone layer's depletion. It examines the various human-made chemicals that contributed to this environmental problem, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and their impact on the stratosphere's ability to filter harmful UV radiation. The assignment highlights the consequences of ozone depletion for human health, ecosystems, and climate change. It also celebrates the success of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty signed in 1987, which led to a significant reduction in CFC emissions and facilitated the gradual healing of the ozone layer.

Human Impacts on the
Environment

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Ozone hole ................................................................................................................3
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Topic: “To examine impact of human activities on Ozone layers depletion.”
INTRODUCTION
Environmental problems are considered as biggest problems across the world. There are
various human activities are identified that creates huge impact on the ecological balance
(Walker, A., 2016). Some of the major practices are like excess use of fossil fuels, CFCs,
chemical and toxic products, etc. Along with this different other practices are also playing
significant role in maximising their impact such as deforestation, soil erosion, solid waste, etc.
These all practices creates huge impact on the environment in the form of global warming, acid
rain, ozone depletion, etc. This essay is presented, “to examine impact of human activities on
Ozone layers depletion”. In this sequence the case study of Australia is also involved, in which
different strategies are implemented for controlling their impact. Along with this causes and
effects are also incorporated into the essay (Williamson and et.al., 2014). With the help of this
essay various effective controlling measures are also identified.
CASE STUDY
“How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing, thanks to a treaty signed in 1987”- The
NEWS Minute, 14th September 2017. According to the news article it is analysed that Australia
is also facing ozone depletion problems (How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to
a treaty signed in 1987, 2017). On the basis of various research, it has been found that the
depletion rate is faster at mid lattices of the earth. In order to overcome this problem, government
of Australia has implemented various steps. One of the biggest protocol was implemented in
1987, called as Montreal Protocol. This was one of the successful step of Australian Govt., in
order to control depletion process (Canziani and et.al., 2014).
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(Source: How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987, 2017)
CAUSES OF OZONE LAYER DEPLETION
The ozone layer is present at the outer surface of the earth. It plays significant role in
order to stop the harmful rays reaching from the sun. Due to presence of this layer, 96% to 97%
of medium to high frequency of ultra violate rays of the sun is absorbed by them. Through this
process, it reduces the harmful impact of the UV rays . With the increase human activities and
interrupt with the natural process several negative impacts are analysed in the form of global
warming, acid rain, ozone depletion, pollution, solid wastes, depletion of fossil fuels,
contamination of ground water, deforestation, soil erosion,etc (Li and et.al., 2014).
The increased consumption of fossil fuels releases large amount of carbon particles into
the atmosphere (McKenzie, 2017 ). As per the case study it is analysed that there are several
chemical substances are released into the atmosphere such as chlorine, bromine. They does not
completely burned, due to which they remain unstable into the environment. In order to get
stability they try to combine with other chemical substance present into the atmosphere (Moore,
S. and et.al., 2016). During this process carbon particle interact with the oxygen molecules of the
ozone and get combined. This process results in the form of ozone depletion. Along with this
there are several other factors are also available such as use of aerosol product. These products
are formed due to presence of chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) (Myers, 2016 ).
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Illustration 1: Ozone hole

In this process the CFCs molecules interact with the atmospheric layer, due to which
large amount of energy is absorbed by the particles. During this procedure chlorine molecules
are released and breaks the ozone molecule. Apart from that various other factors are also
available that plays significant role in order to cause ozone depletion. Some of them are like
hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs) and other volatile organic components. According to various
research it is analysed that the ozone layer that covers the mid latitude region such as Australia, it
getting thinner, due to which high frequency of Ultra Violate rays are also reaching the surface
of the earth. Along with this a ozone hole is also identified at the poles, such as Antarctica.
Along with this there are some natural factors are also identified such as volcanic
eruption, stratospheric wind and sun spots (Ratinen, 2013 ). During the volcanic eruption, gases
that are released get combined with the molecules of ozone and damage the layers. Similarly,
stratospheric wind and sun spots also disturbs the chemical structure and affects the layer.
Therefore, the major cause of ozone depletion is identified as chlorine, bromine.
EFFECT OF OZONE LAYER DEPLETION
Depletion of ozone layer is creating huge impact on the nature and influencing the
lifestyle of the individual. Some of them are like effect on human health, aquatic and biotic
community, flora and fauna, ecosystem, etc, due to depletion of the ozone layer high frequency
of ultra Violate rays are reaching on the surface of the earth. They are creating immense impact
on the health of the human being (Walker, 2016 ). Some of the negative impact are like skin
cancer, eye damage, weak immune system, etc. This rate of cancer is increased due to this
process.
As per the case study it is analysed ozone layer is thin at mid latitude due to which
harmful gases directly enter into the surface of the earth (Williamson, C. E. and et.al., 2014 ).
This is identified as biggest reason due to which, Australian peoples are facing higher risk of
cancer. More that 750, 000 citizens are suffering from multiple type of cancer. The frequency of
the UV rays are increased from 1970, during this process rate of skin cancer is drastically
increased. According to the research it is analysed that death rate in Australia, due to cancer is
reached at the limit of 1560 people per year (How Earth's ozone layer is gradually
healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987, 2017).
It also affects the lifestyle of the aquatic and biotic community. In this process harmful
rays dissolves into the water and disturbs the aquatic ecosystem. On the basis of various research
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it is analysed that planktons and zoo-planktons are already able to absorb high rate of UV rays
(Canziani and et.al., 2014). The increased amount of UV rays are making drastic change into
their structure and disturbing it. During this process their life cycle get influenced and makes
them endangered. Therefore flora and fauna, it is analysed that ozone depletion creates huge
disturbance into the ecosystem through influencing their reproduction, growth and development
cycle (Ferreira and et.al., 2015 ).
Along with the aquatic life it is creating huge impact on the flora and fauna present on the
land. The gradual increasing temperature of the earth surface, continuous changing temperature,
etc. There all factors reduces the chlorophyll production due to which their growth and
development process get influenced (Li and et.al. 2014). The high frequency of UV rays also
damages the stomata cell due to which the photosynthesis process get influenced. It also affects
their DNA structure due to which their production and yielding process get decreased.
Ozone depletion is creating huge impact on the various levels of the atmosphere such as
troposphere, stratosphere, etc. The UV rays are interacting with the surface of the earth and
increasing temperature. Along with this due to presence of high frequency rays melting of
glaciers are caused, due to which water level is gradually increased (McKenzie, 2017 ). It is
increasing various other challenges such as flooding, climatic changes, etc. along with this it is
also degrading the quality of the products such as due to the radiations materials likes plastic,
fabric, rubbers, etc. There all are influencing growth and profitability of manufacturing
companies.
WAYS TO BRING DOWN DEPLETION PROCESS
In order to minimise the ozone layer depletion various strategies are available. Some of
them are following:
Reduce the count of private vehicles: The emission of unburned carbon and other chemical
substances is playing significant role into the depletion process. These all are caused due to
release of fossil fuels into the atmosphere (Moore and et.al., 2016). While emission of the gases
they remain unstable, in order to get stability they combines with different free radicals, due to
which depletion of layer takes place. In order to overcome this problem, count of private should
be reduced. In current situation, concept of car pooling is treading, it reduces the combustion of
fossil fuels due to emission of the chemical components into atmosphere is also reduced.
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Using eco-friendly products: Ozone layer depletion is caused due to chlorofluorocarbon, most
of the house hold cleaning substances are consisting it. The presence of chlorine and bromine
reacts with the ozone layer and affects them. In order to reduce their impact various non- toxic
and natural products are available. Use of such cleansing product does creates negative on the
environment (How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987,
2017 ).
Eliminate the consumption of pesticide: The use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers should
be avoided (Myers, 2016). For this process various solid waste management programs are
applied, through which all the natural and organic wastes are processed and turned into organic
fertilised. Use of such fertiliser does effects the ground water level and also supports in order to
maintain quality and fertility of soil.
Rocket launching engine fuel should be replaced: The fuel used for rocket launching process
creates huge impact on the atmospheric process. During this activity immense amount of
chemicals are released into the atmosphere, due to which ozone layer get depleted. In order to
overcome these issues, fuel should be replaced. It plays significant role in order to control
depletion rate (Ratinen, 2013 ).
There are various strategies identified for reducing the causes of ozone depletion. Along
with this there are various strategies considered by the Australian administration system, such as
“Montreal protocol on the substance that deplete the ozone layer”, it helps in order to effectively
handle the environmental problems. Along with this various advance technologies are applied in
order to find the substitute of HCFC and CFCs. With the help of this step they have reduced the
depletion process and gradually recovery is evaluated (Walker, 2016 ).
In order to recover the holes and thinner ozone layer, “atmospheric chemical model” was
applied. With the help of this step the negative impact of greenhouses are reduced by cooling the
the temperature (How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987,
2017). Along with this climatic changes are also analysed. Along with this it supports in order to
measure the frequency of the high frequency ultra violate rays. Along with this it also ban the
damaging products at international level some of the are CFCs, HCFCs and halon. Apart from
that various technological supports are also considered in order to reduce their impact.
Through implementing this strategy for 30 years, the positive sign of recovery of the layer is
identified. However, the size of the hole present at the poles of the earth is continuously
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increasing. In order to overcome this Australia and Antarctic program is launched. For
discussing this issue scientists across the globe join the UN environment activity (How Earth's
ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987, 2017 ).
On the basis of above essay it is analysed that human activities are creating huge impact
on the environment. Some of the environmental challenges are identified as global warming, acid
rain, ozone depletion, pollution, solid wastes, depletion of fossil fuels, contamination of ground
water, deforestation, soil erosion,etc. On the basis of case study it is identified that ozone
depletion is one of the biggest problem faced by the Australia. It is caused due to consumption of
CFCs, HCFCs and halon. In order to overcome these problems various strategies are considered
by the Australian administration, such as Montreal protocol. With the help of this step get
success in order to heal the depleted layer. Along with this various other strategies are also
implemented such as reduce the count of private vehicles, using eco-friendly products , eliminate
the consumption of pesticides, rocket launching engine fuel should be replaced, etc. Apart from
that there are various future programs are developed in order to control their impact.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Canziani, P. O. and et.al., 2014. World Climate Research Programme Special Workshop on
climatic effects of ozone depletion in the Southern Hemisphere. Bulletin of the American
Meteorological Society. 95(6). pp.ES101-ES105.
Ferreira, D. and et.al., 2015. Antarctic ocean and sea ice response to ozone depletion: A two-
time-scale problem. Journal of Climate.28(3). pp.1206-1226.
Li, L., Xu, J., Hu, J. and Han, J., 2014. Reducing nitrous oxide emissions to mitigate climate
change and protect the ozone layer. Environmental science & technology. 48(9).pp.5290-
5297.
McKenzie, R., 2017, February. UV radiation in the melanoma capital of the world: What makes
New Zealand so different?. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1810, No. 1, p.
020003). AIP Publishing.
McKenzie, R., 2017, February. UV radiation in the melanoma capital of the world: What makes
New Zealand so different?. In AIP Conference Proceedings (Vol. 1810, No. 1, p.
020003). AIP Publishing.
Moore, S. and et.al., 2016, March. Low nitrous oxides emissions from Australian processing
tomato crops–a win for the environment, our health and farm productivity. In XIV
International Symposium on Processing Tomato 1159 (pp. 7-14).
Myers, N., 2016. Depletion of Ozone Layer. People, Planet, and Progress Beyond 2015. p.33.
Rae, I. D., 2017. Substance Abuse: Carbon Tetrachloride and the Ozone Layer. Australian
Journal of Chemistry. 69(12). pp.1375-1379.
Ratinen, I. J., 2013. Primary student-teachers' conceptual understanding of the greenhouse effect:
a mixed method study. International Journal of Science Education. 35(6). pp.929-955.
Walker, A., 2016. Cover Story: Abortion: Women's bodies, women's lives, women's
choice. Green Left Weekly. (1101). p.8.
Williamson, C. E. and et.al., 2014. Solar ultraviolet radiation in a changing climate. Nature
Climate Change. 4(6). pp.434-441.
Online
How Earth's ozone layer is gradually healing,thanks to a treaty signed in 1987, 2017. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-
the-biopsychosocial-model.html>. [Accessed on 3rd October 2017].
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