Ozone is a form of oxygen with 3 atoms that can be found in small amounts in the troposphere where it is considered a pollutant. In the stratosphere, the ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Ozone depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer caused by human activities like the release of chlorofluorocarbons from aerosol sprays, refrigerants, and industrial chemicals. This weakens the immune system and can lead to eye diseases, skin cancer, and lower crop yields. Reducing ozone depletion involves avoiding harmful gases, maintaining appliances, and planting trees.
2. What is ozone?
• Ozone is a form of oxygen that is blue in
color that has 3 oxygen atoms (O3),
(Satiishrao, 2016).
• Ozone can be found in little concentrations
in the troposphere where it is looked at as
a pollutant, (Satiishrao, 2016).
• Ozone is very corrosive and poisonous
that is why it is used as a disinfect,
(Satiishrao, 2016).
• When ozone is on the surface of the earth
is seen as a pollutant, (Satiishrao, 2016).
3. The function of ozone in
the stratosphere
• The ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet rays A
(~400 to 350 nm) from the sun so that
they may not be absorbed by the sun,
(Alami, 2015).
• Ultraviolet rays B(~350 to 270 nm) are
partially absorbed on the earths
atmosphere, (Alami, 2015).
• Ultraviolet rays C (~270 to 1 5 nm) are
completely by the earths atmosphere,
(Alami, 2015).
4. What is ozone depletion?
*is the thinning of the ozone layer
present in the upper atmosphere.
*Ozone depletion is harmful to
nature and the atmosphere.
* Ozone depletion is one of the huge
problems for the atmosphere and
also for all living things including the
flora and fauna on earth.
5. Causes of ozone depletion
* Ozone depletion is caused by human activity
as they use materials that releases
chlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere,
(Reddy, 2015).
*Chlorofluorocarbons are released into the
atmosphere by people using certain aerosol
sprays, refrigerants, air conditioners and certain
industrial materials, (Pratap, 2014)
6. Misconception about the
ozone layer depletion
Common mistakes Facts
Global warming is caused by the ozone whole
caused by CFCs, (Sarkar, 2016).
The ozone layer protects the earth from the
sun’s harmful UV rays, the hole in the ozone is
caused human activities while using certain
chemicals, (Sarkar, 2016).
CFCs are too heavy to reach the stratosphere,
(Sarkar, 2016).
Atmosphere gases are sorted by weight and
the wind mixes the gases so that they may
reach the atmosphere, (Sarkar, 2016).
7. Effects of ozone depletion
• It can affect peoples eyes, causing cataracts may
develop and this will result in blurred vision and
eventually blindness if the person does not get
treatment for the cataracts.
• it weaken the body’s immune system so that the
body cannot fight diseases.
• It causes faster ageing of the skin, to wrinkle
Sooner and it can lead to skin cancer.
8. Effects of ozone depletion
*It can disrupt photosynthesis,
which can lead to lower crop yield.
*Phytoplankton in the ocean will
decrease which will cause a
decrease in the marine life
9. Ways of reducing ozone
depletion
• Avoid the consumption of
dangerous gases to the ozone layer.
• Buy local products that are ozone
friendly
• Minimize the use of cars.
• Maintain air conditioners.
10. Ways of reducing ozone
depletion
• Do not use cleaning products that are
harmful to the environment and humans
• Do not destroy forests
• Plant more trees.
12. References
1. Alami, D. (2015). Ozone depletion. Available from slideshare at:
https://www.slideshare.net/DavidAlami/ozone-depletion-52979014 [Accessed on the 27 August
2021 2021]
2. Pratap, A. (2014) Ozone depletion. Available from slideshare at:
https://www.slideshare.net/abhishekpratap5836/ozone-depletion-39147112 [Accessed on the 27
August 2021]
3. Reddy, S, K. (2015) Ozone depletion. Available from slideshare at:
https://www.slideshare.net/sivakrishnakanthreddy/ozone-depletion-51263667 [Accessed on the 27
August 2021]
4. Sarkar, A. (2016) Ozone layer depletion. Available from slideshare at:
https://www.slideshare.net/AnkitSarkar9/ozone-layer-depletion-62716993 [Accessed on 27 August
2021]
5. Satiishrao, S. (2016) Ozone depletion. Available from slideshare at:
https://www.slideshare.net/satiishrao/ozone-depletion-58711140 [Accessed on 27 August 2021]