
The ozone layer is important for the existence of life on earth, since it absorbs harmful UV radiations from the sun. Recently, the thickness of this layer has been decreasing, which leads to holes in it.
The main cause of ozone layer depletion is the increase in concentration of chlorine from industrially produced CFC gas. In the stratosphere layer, every chlorine atom can destroy up to 0.1 million ozone molecules by a continues chain reaction.
The main effects of this ozone depletion are as follows:
- Rise in the ultraviolet radiation at the surface of the earth. Only a percent loss of ozone leads to a twice percent increase in UV radiation. Exposure to UV radiation for more time affects animals as well as plants. It can lead to skin problems, ageing, cancer and corneal cataracts. It also increases global warming.
- Imbalance in the thermal structure of the atmosphere which will results in the form of changes in atmospheric circulation;
- Disturbance in the greenhouse effect provided by the ozone layer. A depleted ozone layer affects the greenhouse effect. Thus ozone depletion results in increased global warming.
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