The ozone layer has been formed in the atmosphere for billions of years
One of the main causes of ozone holes is the result of human activities (burning fossil fuels and the use of harmful chemicals). By the way, the ozone layer was created “like a good spirit” for billions of years to protect life on Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the Sun. In the last ten decades, man has seriously endangered the ozone layer and contributed to the depletion and creation of dangerous ozone holes. An ozone hole is any area in which the total amount of ozone is below 220 Dobbson units, ie where the mantle is half depleted.
In recent decades, the ozone layer has been shrinking by an average of 0.3% per year. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced back in 2006 that a huge hole had been observed over the Antarctic and that ozone loss in that year was the largest in the last 4 decades since the measurements were carried out. Satellites measuring the ozone layer recorded a loss of 40 million tons. Despite protection measures that call for an end to the production and import of ozone-depleting substances, the amount of pollution in the atmosphere is so high that ozone holes like this will continue to appear for the next 20 years (2026), according to experts from the World Meteorological Organization. Scientists had hoped that the measures taken would bear fruit by a few years ago if global warming dwindles – the ozone layer will recover quickly. Experts now fear it will take half a century to solve or at least stop this problem.
Ozone is an otherwise unstable allotropic modification of oxygen, bluish in color, explosive and toxic gas
Like ordinary oxygen, ozone contains oxygen atoms, but 3 atoms are bound in its molecule, which gives ozone special properties. It is formed during electrical discharges and ozone gives rise to the characteristic smell of air after a storm, thunderstorm or near electrical equipment. It is used for water purification, deodorization, bleaching and in various chemical reactions that require strong oxidizing agents. Ozone is a poisonous gas in large quantities. The highest concentration of ozone (named after the Greek word for fragrant) is in the stratosphere between 10 and 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. The role of the ozone layer is to filter ultraviolet rays and protect the planet Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation which can be very harmful to the living world. Although these rays stimulate the production of vitamin D in the skin and (especially in light-skinned people) and can cause eye diseases (cataracts and chicken pox), reduce resistance to the herpes virus and damage the spleen. Increased UV radiation stops photosynthesis of plants thus reducing crop yields. And because of these harmful effects, scientists believe that increased UV radiation can cause changes in the number of species and reduce the diversity of ecosystems. ) and halons for chemicals (which are most endangered by the ozone layer). That is why a protocol on reducing the production and use of ozone-depleting substances was signed in Montreal in 1987. The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an addendum to the International Climate Change Agreement, signed with the aim of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. So far, it has been signed by 170 states and government organizations (as of December 2006). The protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005, when it was ratified by Russia. Countries that have ratified it make up 61% of polluters. Until scientists discover all the processes that take place in the upper atmosphere but also the physical and chemical factors that affect these processes – people in general should do everything to protect the ozone layer on which all human lives on Earth depend. For example, instead of spray deodorant, sometimes use the same stick deodorant.
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