Ozone Depletion
By Makayla Gertken
What is ozone depletion
Ozone depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer. The ozone layer is in the stratosphere it has an altitude of about 10 kilometers. The ozone layer is meant to protect us from ultra violet rays.
What causes ozone depletion
Ozone depletion is caused by Cholorofluorocarbons or CFC's. CFC's are any class of compound like hydrogen, carbon, chlorine and fluorine. CFC's are usually used in refrigerants, hairspray ,and other aerosol spray chemicals. when the CFC's enter the stratosphere, then the radiation from the sun makes them break apart then the chlorine atoms reach and begin to break down the ozone layer. One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules.
What are the effects of ozone depletion
Ozone effects humans by causing skin cancer, aging of skin,and people will sunburn more easily. There will also be an increase in eye disease such as blindness and cataracts. Ozone depletion also effects crops which causes reduced growth, photosynthesis and flowering. These crops include wheat, rice, barley, oats, soybeans, corn, tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. This also effects marine life like plankton and other organisms that are highly effected by U.V radiation. In non marine and domestic animals many of the animals would would get skin cancer of badly sun burned. Materials can also be affected by the depletion of the ozone like wood, plastic, rubber, and fabric, and other constructive materials.
What are the preventions or solutions for ozone depletion
One way to prevent ozone depletion is to use house hold echo friendly cleaning products. This way the chemicals in the these non echo friendly products doesn't effect the ozone layer. You can also help avoid ozone depletion by not using pesticides on crops or gardens. Another way to prevent ozone depletion is by checking things in your house for things like aerosol and getting rid of them.
Conclusion
Ozone depletion is a huge problem especially for animals in Antartica who are dealing with global warming, so lets not just let it happen lets do something about it.