OZONE OZONE DEPLETIONDEPLETION

Eric Lin, Cody LuEric Lin, Cody LuNatalie Qin, Silvia ShiNatalie Qin, Silvia Shi

The ozone layer is essential to The ozone layer is essential to organisms because it protects them organisms because it protects them

from harmful effects of the sun. from harmful effects of the sun. A major issue for our planet is the A major issue for our planet is the

depletion of the ozone layer. depletion of the ozone layer.

Q. What is ozone depletion and Q. What is ozone depletion and how is it affecting our ecosystem? how is it affecting our ecosystem? 

WHAT IS OZONE?WHAT IS OZONE?Ozone is a highly reactive gas Ozone is a highly reactive gas

composed of three oxygen atoms.composed of three oxygen atoms.There are only 3 molecules of ozone for every There are only 3 molecules of ozone for every

ten million molecules of air. ten million molecules of air.

WHAT IS THE OZONE LAYER?The ozone layer is a deep layer of invisible gas in the stratosphere, encircling the Earth, that has

large amounts of ozone in it.

The Hole in the Ozone LayerThe Hole in the Ozone Layer

o This diagram shows what the ozone layer does, it prevents UV rays from travelling to the surface of the earth.o The “hole” in the ozone layer isn’t really a hole, the layer is just thinner.o Because the layer is thinner, more UV rays arrive at earth.

http://www.sopf.org/Fear_OzoneDepletion.aspx

Where Where is the is the OzoneOzonelayer?layer?

WHAT IS OZONE DEPLETION?WHAT IS OZONE DEPLETION?

Due to human activity, the ozone layer is getting Due to human activity, the ozone layer is getting weaker, causing a “hole” to appear and weaker, causing a “hole” to appear and

ultraviolet rays to enter into the Earth. It is ultraviolet rays to enter into the Earth. It is actually not a hole, but a very thin layer with actually not a hole, but a very thin layer with

low quantities of ozone. Scientists discovered low quantities of ozone. Scientists discovered the hole in 1985. the hole in 1985.

The Dobson Unit is the most common unit for measuring ozone concentration 100 Dobson units – Least Amount of Ozone500 Dobson units – Most Amount

http://www.kennuncorked.com/sustainable_history.htm

l

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/images/oOzonesize.GIF&imgrefurl=http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/ozone.html&usg=__ozH07Evd5bHVaGshY5OnhaA2fMw=&h=242&w=426&sz=12&hl=en&start=11&zoom=1&tbnid=shZPAYqiRTgzjM:&tbnh=72&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dozone%2Bdepletion%2Bgraph%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D610%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1

The Ozone Hole Over

Antarctica in 2006

The Ozone Hole Over Antarctica

in 2010

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD

/view

.php?id=45802

http

://ww

w.go

ogle

.com

/imgr

es?im

gurl=

http

://ww

w.th

ewe.

cc/th

ewei

/%26

_/im

ages

7/en

viro

nmen

t/oz

one_

hole

_sep

tem

ber_

24_2

006.

gif&

imgr

efur

l=ht

tp://

www.

thew

e.cc

/wep

lane

t/pol

es/a

ntar

cti/

ozon

e.ht

ml&

usg=

__O

XuHB

DHPb

V4Q0

mGI

e1q6

p1G0

S08=

&h=7

16&w

=716

&sz=

234&

hl=e

n&st

art=

1&zo

om=1

&tbn

id=K

95lQ

Phpo

YcW

cM:&

tbnh

=140

&tbn

w=14

0&pr

ev=/

imag

es%

3Fq%

3D20

06%

2Boz

one%

2Bho

le%

26um

%3D

1%26

hl%

3Den

%26

sa%

3DN%

26bi

w%3D

941%

26bi

h%3D

610%

26ou

tput

%3D

imag

es_js

on%

26tb

s%

3Disc

h:1&

um=

1&itb

s=1

WHAT ARE ULTRAVIOLET (UV) WHAT ARE ULTRAVIOLET (UV) RAYS?RAYS?

U.V. rays are the most common and harmful rays that come U.V. rays are the most common and harmful rays that come to Earth from the sun.to Earth from the sun.

WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE?THEY ARE?

They are an important effect of ozone depletion that has a They are an important effect of ozone depletion that has a variety of problems for living organisms associated with variety of problems for living organisms associated with it.it.

CAUSE OF OZONE DEPLETIONCAUSE OF OZONE DEPLETION• CChlorohloroffluoroluoroccarbons (CFC) - a chemical arbons (CFC) - a chemical

used to make refrigerators, home used to make refrigerators, home insulation, plastic foam, and throwaway insulation, plastic foam, and throwaway food containers. food containers. – Discovered in the 1930s by scientist Thomas Discovered in the 1930s by scientist Thomas

Midgley.Midgley.– Non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive Non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive

with other chemical compounds. with other chemical compounds. – Made up of chlorine, fluoride, and carbon.Made up of chlorine, fluoride, and carbon.

Percentages of CFCPercentages of CFC• This is a pie chart that shows the percentages of sources of CFC• Most of the CFC in the atmosphere is human made (82%)• The natural sources are more damaging

http://ozone-chemistry.blogspot.com/

CFCs CausingOzone Depletion

http://www.ozone-hole.org.uk/05.php

Solvents

Aerosol Cans

Refrigerators

Plastic Foam

The Destruction of Ozone• CFCs are transported to the stratosphere• It is broken down by ultraviolet rays• Releases chlorine, which then becomes part of the

process that destroys ozone• The ozone molecule is replaced by oxygen

molecules• The chlorine can deplete the ozone up to 100,000

times faster than unabated depletion

Ozone-Oxygen CycleOzone-Oxygen Cycle• Free radicals, Free radicals,

like chlorine , act like chlorine , act as catalysts to the as catalysts to the decomposition decomposition step (breaking step (breaking down ozone)down ozone)

• These catalysts These catalysts speed up the speed up the reaction.reaction.

Stratospheric Ozone and Chlorine

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0073048763/232420/Image7.jpg&imgrefurl=http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073048763/student_view0/chapter2/study_quiz_1.html&usg=__uXQhO3gOYMfr8YFtRVeKHEi7DX4=&

• DISEASESDISEASES- UV rays are the most common and harmful rays that - UV rays are the most common and harmful rays that come to Earth from the sun.come to Earth from the sun.~ Causes skin cancer and kills the environment~ Causes skin cancer and kills the environment

~EPA estimates, by 2075, 60 million people will get ~EPA estimates, by 2075, 60 million people will get skin cancer, 10 million of that population is expected to skin cancer, 10 million of that population is expected to die.die.

• LIFE CYCLES (Introduction)LIFE CYCLES (Introduction)- Disrupts flow of food chain because of decreased - Disrupts flow of food chain because of decreased

reproduction.reproduction.-Simple organisms could be wiped out resulting in -Simple organisms could be wiped out resulting in

biological disruptions for some species above them.biological disruptions for some species above them.

EFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETIONEFFECTS OF OZONE DEPLETION

PLANT LIFEPLANT LIFE• 100 out of 200 plants are sensitive 100 out of 200 plants are sensitive

to ozone depletion. (50%)to ozone depletion. (50%)• If food chains are disrupted, If food chains are disrupted, consumers won’t have anything consumers won’t have anything

to feed on.to feed on.

OCEAN LIFE• Plankton would be affected

(they won’t be able to survive)• Fish wouldn’t have the nutrients

they need.• The fish will die out, and the

secondary consumers won’t have anything to feed on and they will eventually die out as well.

SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS OZONE DEPLETION  OZONE DEPLETION 

– Don’t use the air conditioner or use Don’t use the air conditioner or use it less often. Open up windows. it less often. Open up windows.

– Don’t open the refrigerator for too Don’t open the refrigerator for too long. Get only what you need, long. Get only what you need, don’t linger. don’t linger.

– Refrain from using aerosol cans. Refrain from using aerosol cans. You can use paper towels to wipe You can use paper towels to wipe off the dust. off the dust.

– Fire extinguishers are essential, but Fire extinguishers are essential, but to prevent using it, you can try to to prevent using it, you can try to prevent fires from occurring. prevent fires from occurring.

– Don’t use hairsprays. Don’t use hairsprays.

Montreal ProtocolMontreal Protocol– 19871987– an international an international

agreement to discontinue agreement to discontinue products with harmful products with harmful chemicals affecting the chemicals affecting the ozone layer and instead ozone layer and instead replace them for an replace them for an ozone friendly brand.ozone friendly brand.

– Twenty-Four NationsTwenty-Four Nations

Predictions of Chlorine in StratospherePredictions of Chlorine in Stratosphere o These are the prediction of chlorine in the stratosphere according to each nations agreement.o Without any protocol, the chlorine would have increased so massively by 2050. It would decrease the most with the Montreal protocol of 1997

http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd/assessments/ozone/1998/faq11.html

GOOD NEWSGOOD NEWSThe ozone layer should The ozone layer should recover in fifty years if recover in fifty years if

there are no further there are no further harmful effects. harmful effects.

CitationsCitations• Antarctic Ozone Hole. (n.d.). Antarctic Ozone Hole. (n.d.). Cool Antarctica, pictures of Antarctica, information and travel guideCool Antarctica, pictures of Antarctica, information and travel guide . Retrieved October 15, 2010, from . Retrieved October 15, 2010, from

http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/ozone_hole.htmhttp://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/ozone_hole.htm • Bora, C. (n.d.). Ozone Layer Depletion: Effects and Causes of Ozone Depletion. Bora, C. (n.d.). Ozone Layer Depletion: Effects and Causes of Ozone Depletion. Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the WebBuzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. .

Retrieved October 13, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ozone-layer-depletion-effects-and-causes-of-ozone-depletion.html Retrieved October 13, 2010, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ozone-layer-depletion-effects-and-causes-of-ozone-depletion.html • How Ozone Depletion will Affect Global Plant Life - Ozone Depletion (UK). (n.d.). How Ozone Depletion will Affect Global Plant Life - Ozone Depletion (UK). (n.d.). Expert Advice on Protecting the Ozone Layer at Expert Advice on Protecting the Ozone Layer at

Ozone Depletion (UK)Ozone Depletion (UK). Retrieved October 14, 2010, from http://www.ozonedepletion.co.uk/how-ozone-depletion-will-affect-global-. Retrieved October 14, 2010, from http://www.ozonedepletion.co.uk/how-ozone-depletion-will-affect-global-plant-life.html plant-life.html

• Media Hell - Stop Ozone Depletion. (n.d.). Media Hell - Stop Ozone Depletion. (n.d.). Media Hell - HomeMedia Hell - Home. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from . Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.mediahell.org/what12.htmhttp://www.mediahell.org/what12.htm

• Ozone Depletion - Effects. (n.d.). Ozone Depletion - Effects. (n.d.). Oracle ThinkQuest Library Oracle ThinkQuest Library . Retrieved October 14, 2010, from . Retrieved October 14, 2010, from http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/ozone_depletion_-_effects.html http://library.thinkquest.org/26026/Environmental_Problems/ozone_depletion_-_effects.html

• Ozone Depletion Economic Module | Case Study for the 4th Year Course in Ecosystem Health at UWO. (n.d.). Ozone Depletion Economic Module | Case Study for the 4th Year Course in Ecosystem Health at UWO. (n.d.). Schulich School of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine & DentistryMedicine & Dentistry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry . Retrieved October 14, 2010, from . Retrieved October 14, 2010, from http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/ozoneecon.htmhttp://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/ozoneecon.htm

• Ozone Hole Watch: What is a Dobson Unit? . (n.d.). Ozone Hole Watch: What is a Dobson Unit? . (n.d.). Ozone Hole Watch Ozone Hole Watch . Retrieved October 13, 2010, from . Retrieved October 13, 2010, from http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/dobson.html http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/dobson.html

• Ozone Layer Depletion Retrieved on October 19, 2010 http://ozone-chemistry.blogspot.com/Ozone Layer Depletion Retrieved on October 19, 2010 http://ozone-chemistry.blogspot.com/• Prevention Against Ozone Layer Depletion | Scienceray. (n.d.). Prevention Against Ozone Layer Depletion | Scienceray. (n.d.). Scienceray | All That is Science, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Scienceray | All That is Science, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry,

Mathematics, PhysicsMathematics, Physics. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://scienceray.com/philosophy-of-science/prevention-against-ozone-. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://scienceray.com/philosophy-of-science/prevention-against-ozone-layer-depletion/layer-depletion/

• Save Our Planet Foundation - Deforestation - Ozone Depletion Retrieved on October 19, 2010Save Our Planet Foundation - Deforestation - Ozone Depletion Retrieved on October 19, 2010http://www.sopf.org/Fear_OzoneDepletion.aspxhttp://www.sopf.org/Fear_OzoneDepletion.aspx

• Science - Ozone Basics. (n.d.). Science - Ozone Basics. (n.d.). NOAA Stratospheric Ozone WebpageNOAA Stratospheric Ozone Webpage. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from . Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm

• Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 1998 Retrieved October 19, 2010 fromScientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion 1998 Retrieved October 19, 2010 from http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd/assessments/ozone/1998/faq11.htmhttp://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd/assessments/ozone/1998/faq11.htm• The Ozone Hole Tour : Part I. The History of the Ozone Hole.. (n.d.). The Ozone Hole Tour : Part I. The History of the Ozone Hole.. (n.d.). Centre for Atmospheric ScienceCentre for Atmospheric Science. Retrieved October 15, 2010, . Retrieved October 15, 2010,

from http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/part1.html from http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/part1.html