Ozone Layer and it's Depletion

 Ozone Layer and it's Depletion

Ozone layer is one of the most important layers of the Earth's Atmosphere. It lies in the lower part of the Stratosphere.

It is one of the most significant parts of the atmosphere because it protects us from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Without it the mankind wouldn't have been able to survive. The living beings all around the earth would have skin related diseases, there would have been tremendous amount of rise in temperature.

The ozone layer is like a filter in the atmosphere that protects living beings from Sun's ultraviolet radiation.

Dobson unit is used to measure the thickness of the ozone layer.

Factors responsible for ozone layer depletion :

Due to the increased pollution on Earth, various chemicals which are released by the industries all around the world such as CFC's, HCFC's, Chloroform which are destroying this protective ozone layer.

A hole was found in the ozone layer at Antarctica in 1985 by Joseph Fermann, Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklinn.

It was found that almost 40% of the ozone layer was depleted from the year 1974 to 1984.

Gases responsible for Ozone depletion :

• C.F.C. (Chloro Fluoro Carbons)
• H.C.F.C. (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons)
• H.B.F.C. (Hydro Bromo Fluoro Carbons)
• Methyl Bromide
• Halones 
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Methyl Chloroform

After the discovery of the ozone depletion and the things responsible for it various international programs took place in order to promote the depletion of the ozone layer. 

International Programs :-

1. Vienna Protocol (in 1985) - 
• In order to reduce the use of C.F.C.'s world wide
2. Montreal Protocol (in 1987) - 
• It was an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer from the C.F.C.'s (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) and other chemicals.
• The treaty was opened for signature on 16th September,1987 and entered into force on 1st January,1989 London Convention followed by its first meeting at Helsinki in May 1989
• Chloroform and Halones to banned from from trade.
• Upto 1996 the usage chemical compounds causing ozone depletion to be banned by the Developed countries and 10 more years for under developed and developing countries.
3. London Convention ( in Jan 1989) -
• Upto year 2000 Chloroform and Halones to be banned completely.
• Methyl Chloroform and Carbon Tetrachloride were declared as harmful chemical compound responsible for depletion.
4. Helsinki Convention (in May 1989) -
• Reconsideration of the Montreal protocol
• Developed nations rejected the reconsideration .
• Formation of the International Climate Fund (ICF)
5. Copenhagen Council (in 1992) -
• The Targets set up were
• Upto 1996 to CFC to be banned completely
• Upto 2030 HCFC to be banned completely
• Methyl Bromide was also included as ozone depleting gas.

Consequences of Ozone Depletion :

• Low immunity of the living organisms
• Reduction in growth of plants
• Increase in temperature various parts of the world.
• Spread of diseases like Skin cancer, Cataract, Throat pain, Congestion, etc.