The ozone layer contains about 90% of atmospheric ozone and is located in the st

Question

The ozone layer contains about 90% of atmospheric ozone and is located in the stratosphere. It is vital to human well-being because it shields us from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. In the mid-1970s, it was discovered that chlorine atoms released from CFCs were destroying ozone and depleting the ozone layer. As a result, there was an increase in ultraviolet radiation at the Earth's surface. Ultraviolet radiation is a high energy electromagnetic wave that can ionize atoms and molecules within the body increasing the probability of skin cancer and eye cataracts. The most severe loss of ozone occurred over Antarctica during the springtime and is known as the "ozone hole". In response, the Montreal Protocol was written to address this global issue. As a result of compliance to the Protocol and its Adjustments, the accumulation of ozone depleting gases has slowed and begun to decrease. W rite a 200-400 word essay that describes how you could study an area related to any part of the above information. Make sure to include any limitations of such a study and to use specific examples from this course. You may use information from other courses if you wish. Due Nov. 30, 2016.

Explanation / Answer

Depletion of ozone layer

Ozone which forms the safety layer in stratosphere region against the harmful ultraviolet radiation that reaches us from sun. The ozone O3 molecule is shown to decompose in presence of chlorine radical, wherein, the chlorine radical reacts with an ozone molecule to product an oxygen molecule and an ClO radical species. The ClO radical species thus formed reacts with another ozone molecule and forms two oxugen moelcules and chlorine radical is regenerated back again.

Cl. + O3 --> ClO. + O2

ClO. + O3 --> Cl. + 2O2

So the regenerated chlorine radical keeps undergoing the same reaction with ozone until no more ozone is left in the surrounding or two chlorine radical combines to form Cl2 molecule.

It is thus adviced not to use CFCs which form chlorine radical as it directly affects the ozone layer.

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