OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

INTRODUCTION

The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high
concentrations of ozone. This layer absorbs 93-99% of the sun's high frequency ultraviolet
light, which is potentially damaging to life on earth. Over 91% of the ozone in Earth's
atmosphere is present here. It is mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from
approximately 10 km to 50 km above Earth. The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the
French physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson. Between 1928 and 1958 Dobson
established a worldwide network of ozone monitoring stations which continues to operate
today. The "Dobson unit", is a measure of the total amount of ozone.

CAUSE OF OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of
stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. Natural phenomena can cause
temporary ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from man-made compounds such as
CFCs are now the main cause of this depletion.

Chlorofluorocarbons are not sent back to Earth by rain or destroyed in reactions with other
chemicals. They simply do not break down in the lower atmosphere and they can remain in
the atmosphere from 20 to 120 years or more. As a consequence of their relative stability,
CFCs are instead transported into the stratosphere where they are eventually broken down
by ultraviolet rays from the Sun, releasing free chlorine. The chlorine becomes actively
involved in the process of destruction of ozone.

EFFECTS OF OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

 Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems

 Effects on Human and Animal Health
 Effects on Terrestrial Plants
 Effects on Bio-geo-chemical Cycles
 Effects on Air Quality
 Effects on Materials
 Effects on Climate Change
 Effects on Ultraviolet Radiation

SOLUTIONS

 Firstly the consumption of all the cfcs should be stopped.

 And we should use the 3rs….reuse , recycle, reduce
 Alternate to CFC, HCFC must be introduced by the manufacturers of AC,
Fridge etc.
 Plant more trees and avoid usage of pesticides.
 Buying and using recycled products.
 Protocols should be introduced.

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MONTREAL PROTOCOL

The Montreal Protocol (1987) is a global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
The protocol is about, to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting
substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere. The protocol set limits on
the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and related substances that release chlorine
or bromine to the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

September 16, is International Day for the Preservation of the ozone layer.

NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS AND HOLOCAUST

INTRODUCTION

A nuclear accident is defined as the release of large amounts of nuclear energy and
radioactive products into the atmosphere. Nuclear energy was researched by man as an
alternate source of energy compared to fossil fuels. In the short history of nuclear energy
there had been a number of accidents that have surpassed any natural calamity. A single
nuclear accident causes loss of life, long term illness and destruction of property on a large
scale.A nuclear holocaust is a theoretical scenario involving result of a nuclear war or
nuclear accident especially involving widespread destruction of life and the environment.

Examples of nuclear accidents:

-Chernobyl disaster. Chernobyl, Ukraine (former Soviet Union), April 26, 1986.

-Fukushima Daiichi. Fukushima, Japan, March 2011.

-Three Mile Island. Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA, March 28, 1978.

-Enrico Fermi Unit 1. Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan, USA, October 5, 1966.

-SL-1.

-Sodium Reactor Experiment.

-Wind scale, Cumberland (now Cumbria), UK, October 10, 1957.

Effects of nuclear accidents

 Loss of life
 Genetic mutations in animals and humans
 Thyroid cancer
 Damage to the environment
 Problems for food and water
 Radioactive floods
 Suicide and depression
 Effect on economy.

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