Ozone Layer

OZONE LAYER
Our earth is the only planet in our solar system where life exists. This life exists within the thin layers of air, water and soil about 15 km deep. There layers or spherical shell of life is known biosphere. The biosphere is made up of three layers, atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water) and lithosphere (rock and soil). It is due to the features of our atmosphere that life exists on earth. Atmosphere is nothing but just a mixture of gases and particles surrounding our planet. Atmosphere exists till a few hundred kilometers above the earth but major portion of it lies in the two regions that exist within the first 50 km above the earth's surface; the Troposphere and the Stratosphere. The ozone molecules or the ozone layer is concentrated between the altitudes of 15- 35 km in the atmosphere. Ozone is a form of oxygen and is found in three different forms in the atmosphere, Oxygen atoms (O), Oxygen molecules (O2), and as Ozone (O3). Ozone is acting as a sunscreen - filter, which absorbs all the Ultra- Violet radiation present in the sun- rays before the reach the earth. It is this property of the ozone layer which has safeguarded life on our planet.
Depletion of the ozone layer:
Chlorofluorocarbon or CFC is the one of the main gases considered harmful to the ozone layer. Air – conditioners, refrigerators and aerosol sprays emit the CFC. The process of depletion of ozone layer is also known as greenhouse effect. Methyl-bromide, a chemical used as a fumigant for soil and commodities and as a transport fuel additive, too is equally harmful to ozone. Methyl – bromide is 30 to50 times more destructive to ozone than chlorine. Besides these other substances like HCFC, Halon and Methyl chloroform too contribute to its destruction.
Be ozone friendly:
In order to protect our ozone thus protecting the existence of life on this earth an individual needs to take following actions.
Be ozone friendly consumer: insist on buying products like aerosol spray cans, refrigerators, and fire extinguishers etc, which are labeled “CFC Free”.
Be ozone friendly home owner: Old refrigerators and air- conditioner which use CFC and HCFC should be disposed responsibly. Also care must be taken to see if the CFC and HCFC refrigerant is removed before disposal. Do not buy portable fire – extinguishers that contain Halon. Halon free fire – extinguishers are available in the market.
Be ozone friendly Farmer: It is essential for farmers today to buy those pesticides and soil fumigants which do not contain methyl bromide. They can even opt for options like ‘Integrated Pest Management’ which do not require costly chemicals.

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Ozone Layer

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