Environmental Impact Caused by Progressive Deterioration

of the Ozone Layer

PURPOSE
Improve the quality of life at an environmental level and promote the constitution of a society
with conservation habits that can understand the need to protect the layer of
ozone

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

General Objective

Promote an environmental culture that allows for the establishment of good habits and
attitudes of students and the educational community towards care and conservation of
environment, thus achieving the promotion of sustainable development

Specific Objectives

Identify and understand the causes of the main threats and problems
environmental factors that affect our planet

Prevent and Control by establishing preventive measures

health risks associated with solid waste management and pollution
of the water

Instruct the student and the educational community in general about the techniques of
management of household solids for their reuse

Establish strategies aimed at the protection of environmental quality.

natural and social environment
 Understand the importance of recycling and taking care of the environment

Problem statement

In the stratosphere, ozone is continuously being created and disappearing through a

series of chemical reactions. The stratospheric ozone concentration is small and its
Value depends on the balance between these processes of creation and destruction.

There are simple reactions of creation from molecular oxygen and radiation.
ultraviolet and destruction mainly at night when there is an absence of
radiation.

In addition to these reactions, there are others that are more complex in which other factors are involved.

compounds that contribute to the destruction of the ozone. This is where the
chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFC) that are synthesized molecules, very little
chemically active and therefore has a residence time in the
very long atmosphere (from 100 to 200 years).

When a CFC molecule reaches the stratosphere, it can dissociate due to radiation.
ultraviolet releasing chlorine atoms that react with ozone contributing to the
destruction of it. In this catalytic reaction, a chlorine atom is released.
that the destructive action multiplies. In addition to chlorine, there are other atoms and ions that
they produce the same destructive effects.

The rate of ozone destruction increases due to human action while it

maintaining the pace of creation leads to a net decrease in concentration of the
ozone.

However, CO2 emissions have the opposite effect since they cause a
a decrease in tropospheric temperature slows down the speed of chemical reactions
that destroy the ozone.

It is in our hands to reduce the use of aerosols, even if they no longer use CFCs, and in
monitor refrigeration units and air conditioners to ensure they do not have refrigerant gas leaks.
 Here are some tips to preserve the ozone layer.

Do not buy sprays or aerosols made with the feared chlorofluorocarbon gases.
(CFC).

Do not use fire extinguishers that contain halons. It is a very harmful substance.
for the ozone layer.

Buy CFC-free insulating material. Dark agglomerated cork can fulfill the same purpose.
function and does not affect the ozone layer.

Carry out good maintenance of the air conditioning; otherwise, you will allow
that the CFC can reach the atmosphere.

Notify a technician if you see that your refrigerator is not cooling as it should. It may have
Leaks. Exactly the same thing can happen to you with the car's air conditioning.

If you are thinking about buying a new air conditioner, do not buy one that contains
CFC.

If you know of crops or plants that use products with methyl bromide,
report it, as they are highly polluting.

Try to use the car as little as possible. Look for alternatives like the bicycle or the
public transport.

If you have to go out with the car and take a long trip, check the one that is the most
short to pollute as little as possible and at the same time save on fuel.

Use air conditioning and heating as minimally as possible.

Buy energy-saving light bulbs. This way you will do a favor to the environment.
and to your pocket.

Support methods for problem solving

On our part, we prepared a series of basic questions along with a short speech.
to raise awareness of our social environment

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is a natural gas layer in the atmosphere's surface that protects
to humans and other living beings from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
Although ozone is present in most areas of the atmosphere, most of it
of this gas (O3) is concentrated in the stratosphere - about 90% - in a
layer that is above the Earth's surface and measures between 10 and 50 kilometers.

This layer, the ozone layer, is responsible for performing an essential task for life on the
The Earth filters out most of the biologically harmful UV radiation from the sun.

2. What are the causes of ozone layer depletion?

The concentration of ozone in the atmosphere varies naturally according to temperature,

the weather, latitude, and altitude. Furthermore, the substances expelled by phenomena
Natural events, such as volcanic eruptions, can have a significant negative impact.
about the ozone level.

Moreover, scientific evidence shows that certain artificial chemicals are

responsible for the creation of the ozone hole in the Antarctic region and the
ozone losses scattered across all areas of the Earth. These chemicals
they are the industrial gases that have been generated for many years by a wide
product range.

What is the ozone hole?

Ozone deteriorates by sunlight in the stratosphere, producing a halogen of

atom (ODS) -for example: chlorine or bromine- which is what later deteriorates the
ozone. The destruction of this layer is greater at the South Pole, where temperatures are
so low in the stratosphere during winter that polar stratospheric clouds are formed.
The ice crystals formed in these clouds provide a large surface for
chemical reactions, accelerating catalytic cycles. In the destruction of ozone is
involving sunlight, a process that intensifies during the springtime,
when solar radiation levels affect the highest clouds.

At the South Pole, the layer is perforated and that's where more radiation enters.
solar. This mainly occurs at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
That is, between the months of November and August.

As a general rule, the maximum damage occurs in early October when the ozone is
completely destroyed and in larger areas. This depletion creates the known
'ozone hole', a deterioration that is evident in the Antarctic region and where
you can clearly visualize, from the images provided by the satellites, a
large hole.

Although ozone losses are less radical in the northern hemisphere, the deterioration
significant ozone layer depletion can also be observed over the Arctic and Europe. A
deterioration that is more serious in Antarctica because the Arctic has certain conditions
climatic conditions that vary constantly from year to year.

4. How does the deterioration of the ozone layer harm our health?

Ultraviolet radiation has been increasing significantly until reaching about

very high levels at the Earth's surface. A rise in UV that is totally
harmful to health.

Negative effects can lead to a large number of different types of cancers in

the skin, can cause cataracts or any type of immune deficiency. The constant
UV penetration causes the level of ozone present on Earth to potentially lead to,
in addition, any type of respiratory diseases.

5. What are the environmental effects of ozone depletion?

Ultraviolet rays affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; changing the

growth, food chains and biochemical cycles.

In particular, the aquatic life that develops underwater, which is also part of
of the food chain, is the most affected by the high levels of UV radiation.
It also has adverse effects on plant growth, reducing the
agricultural productivity.

Finally, the deterioration of the ozone layer also changes the distribution of
temperatures in the atmosphere, causing a variety of environmental impacts and
climatic.

What are the economic effects of the depletion of the ozone layer?

The most important economic impact generated by UV radiation is undoubtedly the

money that humans allocate to improve their health. Medical expenses are
very high if we take into account the millions of cases of skin cancers and
cataracts in the eyes.

7. Will the ozone layer recover?

Despite existing regulations, there is significant depletion in the layer.

of ozone. This is because once released, the gas generated by chemical compounds
remains in the atmosphere for many years and continues to cause harm. However, the
the first signs of recovery of the ozone layer are visible since in the last
The report explains that since the year 2000 (when it reached its historical maximum with 25
million square kilometers) the Antarctic hole has reduced by 4 million
square kilometers (that is, roughly the area of the European Union without the United Kingdom)
United) .
However, it is unlikely that the ozone layer will fully recover before the
second half of the century.

8. What can you do to protect the ozone layer?

Here are some practical things that can be done to help protect the layer
of ozone:

It is important to ensure that old refrigerators and air conditioning units are disposed of
safely, always taking them to a place where they can be recycled. There are also
to ensure that the technicians who repair your refrigerator or air conditioning unit
air conditioning recovers and recycles old elements, otherwise the chemical gases will be
released into the atmosphere.

Another thing to keep in mind is when you renovate the house, at that moment there is
to ensure that the device containing this type of gases is completely
removed as it can be very ecologically dangerous. Furthermore, one must be informed
about the deterioration of the ozone layer and raising awareness among young people about the problem that
it currently exists and how to solve it.

9. How can I protect myself from ultraviolet radiation?

The risk factors depend on skin type, childhood burns, and the
exhibition that a person carries out in front of the sun, whether it is intense or not.

What we need to try is to make some changes in our lifestyle habits. For example,
one should not be constantly exposed to strong sunlight during vacations,
Well, it is the main responsible for an increase in malignant skin cancers.

To minimize the risk of developing cancer, the skin should be covered with clothing.
or with a sunscreen with the appropriate degree, wear a hat and wear glasses
UV certified sunglasses to protect the eyes.

10. What are the positive effects of UV radiation?

While a high amount of UV radiation is harmful to human health, a

little exposure can also have related effects, for example, with the
vitamin D production.

The low supply of vitamin D is the cause of a number of diseases such as

osteoporosis, osteomalacia -the softening of the bones-, rickets or problems
cardiovascular. People with brown skin are vulnerable to a decrease in the
natural UV radiation. However, most people get the exposure
suitable for UV radiation in their daily lives. For healthy people, there is no
medical reason for seeking additional exposure.
In this way, we attract more people to join the protection of the ozone layer.

Project Summary