Science Presentation

Ozone Layer
Depletion &

Greenhouse effect

The

Ozone Layer

And

Ozone

What is Ozone?
A molecule containing three
atoms of oxygen is called ozone.
Ozone is very rare in our
atmosphere, averaging about
three molecules of ozone for every
10 million air molecules. In spite of
this small amount, ozone plays a
vital role in the atmosphere.

Where is ozone found in

the atmosphere?
Ozone is mainly found in two regions
of the Earth's atmosphere. Most ozone
(about 90%) resides in a layer that
begins between 6 and 10 miles (10 and
17 kilometers) above the Earth's
surface and extends up to about 30
miles (50 kilometers). This region of the
atmosphere is called the stratosphere.
The ozone in this region is commonly
known as the ozone layer.

What is the role of the ozone layer and

how are humans affected by it?
Ozone present in the stratosphere plays a
beneficial role by absorbing most of the
biologically damaging ultraviolet sunlight. The
absorption of ultraviolet radiation by ozone
creates a source of heat. Ozone thus plays a key
role in the temperature structure of the Earth's
atmosphere.
Without the filtering action of the ozone
layer, more of the Sun's UV radiation would
penetrate the atmosphere and would reach the
Earth's surface. Many experimental studies of
plants and animals and clinical studies of
humans have shown the harmful effects of
excessive exposure to UV radiation.

At the Earth's surface, ozone comes into

direct contact with life-forms and displays
its destructive side (hence, it is often called
"bad ozone"). Because ozone reacts strongly
with other molecules, high levels of ozone
are toxic to living systems. Several studies
have documented the harmful effects of
ozone on crop production, forest growth,
and human health. The substantial negative
effects of surface-level ozone present in the
troposphere from direct toxicity contrast
with the benefits of the additional filtering
of UV radiation that it provides.

There is also widespread scientific and

public interest and concern about losses
of ozone in the stratosphere. Groundbased and satellite instruments have
measured decreases in the amount of
stratospheric ozone in our atmosphere.
Over some parts of Antarctica, up to 60%
of the total overhead amount of ozone
(known as the column ozone) is depleted
during Antarctic spring (SeptemberNovember). This phenomenon is known as
the Antarctic ozone hole. In the Arctic
polar regions, similar processes occur that
have also led to the depletion of column
ozone.

What is the ozone hole?

Theozone holeis an annual thinning of

theozone layeroverAntarctica. The most
pronounced decrease in ozone has been in
the lowerstratosphere. However, the
ozone hole is most usually measured not
in terms of ozone concentrations at these
levels (which are typically of a few parts
per million) but by reduction in the
totalcolumn ozone.

The Antarctic
Ozone Hole

The Ozone hole

as seen from the
Earth

What causes Ozone Holes?

The cause of the ozone holes is generally
agreed to beCFC(chlorofluorocarbon)
compounds which break down due
toultravioletlight and becomefree
radicalscontaining chlorine high in the
Earth's atmosphere. These radicals then
break down the ozone catalytically. The ozone
layer can also be depleted by free radical
catalysts, includingnitric oxide(NO),nitrous
oxide(N2O),hydroxyl(OH),
atomicchlorine(Cl), and atomicbromine(Br).

What are CFCs ?

Achlorofluorocarbon(CFC) is anorganic
compoundthat contains
onlycarbon,chlorine, andfluorine, produced
as avolatilederivative
ofmethaneandethane. Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) are anthropogenic compounds that
have been released into the atmosphere
since the 1930s in various applications such
as in air-conditioning, refrigeration, blowing
agents in foams, insulations and packing
materials, propellants in aerosol cans, and as
solvents.

What actions have been taken to

protect the ozone layer?
Through an international agreement known
as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer, governments have
decided to eventually discontinue production
of CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and
methyl chloroform (except for a few special
uses), and industry has developed more
"ozone-friendly" substitutes. All other things
being equal, and with adherence to the
international agreements, the ozone layer is
expected to recover over the next 50 years
or so.

The
Greenhou
se Effect

Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases are
those gases in the
atmosphere that absorbs
and emits radiations
within a thermal infrared range. The primary
greenhouse gases in the

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is the process in
which
greenhouse gases absorbs radiation
(the infra
red rays) and re- radiates it in all
directions.
Since part of this re-radiation is back
towards
the surface and the lower atmosphere,
it results

CO2
CO2
CO2

CO2

CO2
CO2
CO2

CO2
CO2
CO2
CO2

co2

Why is this effect named

after a greenhouse?
A greenhouse is a structural building with
different types of covering materials, such as
a glass or plastic roof and frequently glass or
plastic walls; it heats up because incoming
visible sunshine is absorbed inside the
structure. Air warmed by the heat from
warmed interior surfaces is retained in the
building by the roof and wall; the air that is
warmed near the ground is prevented
from rising indefinitely and flowing away.
This process in which the heat is trapped
within the greenhouse can be compared to
the way in which the heat radiations are
trapped in the earths atmosphere.

how to reduce greenhouse effect?

Green house effect is something that cannot be
prevented but can
be reduced. It can be reduced in the following ways:
1. By opting for greener technologies that are ecofriendly.
2. By reducing emissions from automobiles, the
greenhouse gases can be reduced.
3. By preventing deforestation, because plants absorb
a great amount of CO2 from the atmosphere.
4. By using CFC-free refrigerators.
5. By reducing use of aerosols because they produce
CFCs.

Global Warming
Global warming refers to an unequivocal
and continuing rise in the average
temperature of Earth's climate system.
Most of global warming is being caused by
increasing concentrations of greenhouse
gases produced by human activities. Future
climate change and associated impacts
caused by global warming will vary from
region to region around the globe. Global
warming can be prevented by reducing the
emission of greenhouse gases.

Effects of Global Warming

Increase in spread of disease.
Warmer waters and more hurricanes.
Increase in droughts and heat waves.
Economic consequences.
Melting of polar ice caps.
Floods.
Fires and wildfires.
Storms.
Death by smog.
Desertification.
Tsunamis.
Cold waves.
Increase in volcanic activities.
Loss of biodiversity and animal extinction.

Melting and breaking

down of polar ice caps.

Artists illusion of New

York city underwater.

Artists illusion of
backwards evolution in
case of polar bears.

HATS ALL FOLKS