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Ozone Layer Depletion and Harmful Effects on Health and

Environment. Solutions to Reverse Ozone Depletion.

by

Roha Talat
(PhD Student)

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

(Department)

Submitted To: Dr. Imran Taj

Centre for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology

(CASVAB)
University of Balochistan
Quetta, Pakistan

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Introduction

The atmosphere of the Earth is divided into five layers. In order of closest and thickest
to farthest and thinnest the layers are listed as follows: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere,
thermosphere and exosphere. The majority of the ozone in the atmosphere resides in the
stratosphere, which extends from six miles above the Earth’s surface to 31 miles. Humans
rely heavily on the absorption of ultraviolet B rays by the ozone layer because UV-B
radiation causes skin cancer and can lead to genetic damage. The ozone layer has historically
protected the Earth from the harmful UV rays, although in recent decades this protection has
diminished due to stratospheric ozone depletion (Godish Thad, 2010).

.
Fig; Showing Atmospheric layers
Formation of Ozone

In the stratosphere ozone is produced as a result of the dissociation of oxygen

molecule by the intense UV component of the sunshine. The single oxygen atom (O)
combines with other oxygen molecule (O2) to form ozone (O3) (Godish Thad, 2010).

Fig; Showing Structure of Ozone

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Physical Properties of Ozone O3

1. Ozone is a colourless or pale blue gas.

2. Ozone is slightly soluble in water and much more soluble in inert non-polar solvents
like sulphuric acid, carbon tetrachloride or fluorocarbons that forms a blue solution.
3. The boiling and the melting point of ozone is −112oC and −193.2oC respectively.
4. At 161K (−112oC; −170oF), ozone condenses to form a dark blue liquid. It is risky to
allow this liquid to warm to its boiling point. It is because both concentrated gaseous
ozone and liquid ozone can get detonate. At temperatures below 80K
(−193.2oC; −315.7oF, it forms a violet-black solid.

Chemical Properties of Ozone

1. Ozone easily dissolves in water results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide. The
chemical equation for the same is:

O3+3H2O→3H2O2

2. Ozone reacts with lead sulfide that results in the formation of lead sulfate. The
chemical equation for the same is:

3PbS+4O3→3PbSO4

Ozone Layer

The ozone layer refers to a layer in the atmosphere, which spreads in the stratosphere
and is in high concentration. This layer has its maximum partial pressure in the lower
stratosphere at a level of 19-23 Kms above the Earth. The stratosphere contains 90 % of all
ozone in the atmosphere.

Ozone, being a molecule composed of more than two atoms has many absorption
bands and particularly in the UV range at wavelengths less than 0.3 µm. Stratospheric ozone
layer plays a very important role for the protection of human life and the whole ecosystem. It
filters most of the ultraviolet beta radiations from the sun, buffer the ecosystem from harmful
ultraviolet rays and also absorbs the solar energy for warming the stratosphere to maintain the
present climate conditions familiar to the ecosystem (Dessler & Andrew, 2000).

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Where is Ozone Produced?

Most of the stratospheric ozone is produced at tropical latitudes, but high-altitude

winds spread it over the whole planet. Ozone can also be formed at ground level to produce
‘photochemical smog’; and, as ozone is a toxic gas, there is a health hazard when ozone
reaches high levels. This problem occurs primarily in the summer in cities with a high
amount of traffic when sunlight interacts with car exhaust fumes containing nitrogen oxides
(Godish Thad, 2010).

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 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 (Hoffman & Matthew, 2005).

Principal Steps in the Depletion of Stratospheric Ozone

Emission
1. Halogen source gases are emitted at Earth's surface by human
activities and natural processes

Accumulation
2. Halogen source gases accumulate in the atmosphere and are
globally distributed throughout the lower atmosphere by
winds and other air motions. 5
 Transport
3. Halogen source gases are transported to the stratosphere by air
motions.

Conversion
4. Most halogen source gases are converted in the stratosphere to
reactive halogen gases in chemical reactions involving ultraviolet radiation
from the Sun.

Chemical Reactions
5. Reactive halogen gases cause chemical depletion
of stratospheric ozone over the globe

Low-temperature surface reactions on polar

stratospheric clouds (PSCs) significantly increase
reactive halogen gases and thereby cause severe ozone
loss in polar regions in late winter and early spring.

Removal
6. Air containing reactive halogen gases returns to the troposphere
where the gases are removed by moisture in clouds and rain

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Ozone Hole

In the early 1980s, scientists who were measuring the ozone, found a decline in ozone
concentrations over the South Pole. This hole, as shown in the figure below, continued to
grow for many years.

Why Has the Ozone Hole Developed?

The ozone hole has developed because people have polluted the atmosphere with
chemicals containing chlorine and bromine. The primary chemicals involved are
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs for short), halons, and carbon tetrachloride. CFCs in particular
were previously used for a wide range of applications, including refrigeration, air
conditioning, foam packaging, and making aerosol spray cans. Because these chemicals are
so inert, they are able to stay in the atmosphere long enough to be carried upwards to the
stratosphere where they can damage the ozone layer (Petrucci & Ralph, 2006).

Fig; Schematic of the Growth of the Antarctic Ozone Hole

Measuring Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone is measured as the total amount that is present in a column of overlying

atmosphere in Dobson units. One Dobson unit can be thought of as the amount of ozone that
would be present if it formed a layer 0.01mm thick at average sea-level pressure and

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temperature. A typical Dobson reading for the ozone layer is about 300 Dobson units,
meaning that the ozone layer would only be about 3mm thick if brought down to sea-level.

The Dobson unit is so named because of the Dobson spectrophotometer which is used
to make the measurements. It works by comparing the ratio of two different wavelengths of
UV radiation – one being more strongly absorbed by ozone than the other – and using the
observed ratio to calculate the amount of ozone overhead (Dessler & Andrew, 2000).

Area covered by
O3 column

All the Ozone over a certain

area is composed down to 0 0C
and 1 ATM pressure.

It forms a slab 3mm thick,

corresponding to 300 DU.

Fig; Showing Stratospheric Ozone

Causes Responsible for the Depletion of the Ozone Layer

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 ultraviolet radiations and release
chlorine atoms. These atoms react with ozone and destroy it.

 Unregulated Rocket Launches

Researchers say that the unregulated launching of rockets results in much more depletion
of the ozone layer than the CFCs do. If not controlled, this might result in a huge loss of the
ozone layer by the year 2050.

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  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
(Hoffman & Matthew, 2005).

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 the
ozone layer.” (Hoffman & Matthew, 2005).

Following is the list of some main ozone-depleting substances and the sources from where
they are released:

Ozone-Depleting Sources
Substances

Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators, air-conditioners, solvents, dry-cleaning

(CFCs) agents, etc.

Halons Fire-extinguishers

Carbon tetrachloride Fire extinguishers, solvents

Methyl chloroform Adhesives, aerosols

Hydrofluorocarbons Fire extinguishers, air-conditioners, solvents

Table: Showing OSD

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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

Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation 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
 Weak immune system.
 Effects on Animals

Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.

 Effects on the Environment

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

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
food chain are also affected (Varotsos, Costas & Kirill, 2000).

Solutions to Ozone Layer Depletion

 How Can We Reverse Or minimize Ozone Depletion?

The depletion of the ozone layer is a serious issue and various programs 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 (Parson &
Edward, 2003).

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  Following are some points that would help in preventing this problem at a global
level:

 Avoid Using ODS

Reduce the use of ozone depleting substances. E.g., avoid the use of CFCs in refrigerators
and air conditioners, replacing the halon-based fire extinguishers, etc.

 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.

 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 (Parson & Edward, 2003).

Programs Taking Part in Mitigation of Ozone Depletion

 The ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades, with the global phaseout
of ozone-depleting chemicals already benefitting efforts to mitigate climate change.
 About the Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing
out the chemicals that deplete it. The landmark agreement entered into force in 1989 and it is
one of the most successful global environmental agreements. The ozone layer is on its way to
recovery and many environmental and economic benefits have been achieved.

 About the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

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 UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and
encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling
nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future
generations.

 About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with 193 Member States and
Territories. It is the UN system's authoritative voice on the state and behavior of the Earth's
atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces and
the resulting distribution of water resources (Parson & Edward, 2003).

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References

 Dessler, Andrew. The Chemistry and Physics of Stratospheric Ozone. San Diego, Ca:
Academic Press, 2000
 Hoffman, Matthew J. Ozone Depletion and Climate Change. Albany, NY: State
University of New York Press, 2005
 Parson, Edward A. Protecting the Ozone Layer: Science and Strategy. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2003.
 Petrucci, Ralph H., William S. Harwood, and Geoff E. Herring. General Chemistry :
Principles and Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2006.
 Varotsos, Costas, Kirill Ya. Kondratyev. Atmospheric Ozone Variability:
Implications for Climate Change, Human Health and Ecosystems. Chichester, UK:
Praxis Publishing Ltd, 2000
 Godish, Thad. Air Quality. 4th ed. Florida: CRC Press LLC, 2004. United States
Clean Air Act: as of June 3rd, 2010.

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