The Hole in the Ozone Layer

Work done by: Maria Inês Teixeira

André Rocha

Introduction

The stratospheric ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun.

What is the ozone layer?

• Ozone containing three atoms of oxygen.

• Ozone layer mostly in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere) 15-30 km above the surface of the earth and it protects life on earth by absorbing ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Where is the Ozone Layer?

Ozone is a natural gas that is found in two different layers of the atmosphere.

One layer, called the troposphere, is at the Earth's surface where we live.

Ozone in the troposphere is "bad" because it dirties the air and helps make smog, which is unhealthy to breathe.

Stratospheric ozone is found most often between six and 30 miles above the Earth's surface.

Ozone in the stratosphere is "good" because it protects life on Earth by absorbing some of the sun's harmful UV rays.

The other layer, called the stratosphere, is miles above the Earth's surface.

How do CFC’S destroy the ozone layer?

• Strong winds carry CFCs up into the stratosphere

• UV radiation breaks them apart

• Chlorine atoms destroy ozone molecules

• Other ozone-eating

chemicals

Pruduction of CFC’S in 2005 and its consumption

Consequences

• UV radiation is linked to skin cancer, eye and genetic damage and immune system suppression in living organisms, and reduced productivity in agricultural crops and the food chain.

The hole in the ozone layer also has a slight relationship with the increase of global warming.

ice melts

hurricanes are formed

Deserts get dry

The World's Reaction

• Ban on the use of CFCs

• 1985 - Vienna Convention

• 1987 - Montreal Protocol

Curiosity

• On September 16 people celebrate the international day for the preservation of the ozone layer.

Ozone Layer