The causes of ozone layer depletion are many. All of them are categorized as manmade compounds which enter the upper atmosphere and cause damage. They are chloroflurocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, methyl bromide, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. As these substances enter the stratosphere, they are present for up to 200 years.
Chloroflurocarbons are among the most damaging causes of ozone layer depletion and can be found in a number of different applications in various industries. Refrigerant gas, used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, is one example. Firefighting equipment, aerosols, the production of styrofoam and anesthetics all need chloroflurocarbons in their use or production.
Since chloroflurocarbons are not removed by rain or broken down in the lower atmosphere, they rank high among the causes of ozone layer depletion. In the stratosphere, chloroflurocarbons are broken down into chlorine by the sun's ultraviolet rays. Just one chlorine atom will destroy the ozone for as long as two years.
The main causes of ozone layer depletion are the gases fluorine, chlorine and bromine, which are found in manmade halocarbons. Chlorine and bromine, in particular, have been identified as the major links to ozone depletion. Chlorine atoms result from chloroflurocarbons molecule, while bromine atoms result from halons. While chloroflurocarbons and halons are safe to use and cause no harm to the environment, they cause substantial damage to the stratosphere.
Free radicals, like hydroxyl, nitric oxide, atomic chlorine and bromine, are among the various causes of ozone layer depletion. While hydroxyl and nitric oxide are present in the stratosphere naturally, chlorine and bromine occur due to human use. As their levels of use increase, harm to the ozone increases.
Gradually over time, the causes of ozone layer depletion will significantly harm the earth. High levels of ultraviolet rays from the sun, or radiation exposure, will lead to soaring rates of skin cancer, a breakdown in the immune system in humans and animals, a destruction of plants and less plankton in oceans. In short, the balance of the earth's life system will be in upheaval.
Protocols are now in place in response to the identification of the main causes of ozone layer depletion. The U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocols are designed to lower or eliminate known substances that damage the ozone layer. Despite these international treaties, the problem will not fix itself quickly. It will take at least another century for the substances to be completely removed from the stratosphere and another 100 years for the ozone layer to return to its normal state.
A weakening of the stratospheric ozone was initially identified in 1974. By not addressing the causes of ozone layer depletion now, global warming is evident. As global warming begins, the temperature of the earth gets hotter, causing ice caps and glaciers to melt. Weather events, like droughts and hurricanes would become more severe. As the ozone layer significantly disappears, the earth would come in direct contact with the sun's heat and its damaging ultraviolet rays. - 15790
Chloroflurocarbons are among the most damaging causes of ozone layer depletion and can be found in a number of different applications in various industries. Refrigerant gas, used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, is one example. Firefighting equipment, aerosols, the production of styrofoam and anesthetics all need chloroflurocarbons in their use or production.
Since chloroflurocarbons are not removed by rain or broken down in the lower atmosphere, they rank high among the causes of ozone layer depletion. In the stratosphere, chloroflurocarbons are broken down into chlorine by the sun's ultraviolet rays. Just one chlorine atom will destroy the ozone for as long as two years.
The main causes of ozone layer depletion are the gases fluorine, chlorine and bromine, which are found in manmade halocarbons. Chlorine and bromine, in particular, have been identified as the major links to ozone depletion. Chlorine atoms result from chloroflurocarbons molecule, while bromine atoms result from halons. While chloroflurocarbons and halons are safe to use and cause no harm to the environment, they cause substantial damage to the stratosphere.
Free radicals, like hydroxyl, nitric oxide, atomic chlorine and bromine, are among the various causes of ozone layer depletion. While hydroxyl and nitric oxide are present in the stratosphere naturally, chlorine and bromine occur due to human use. As their levels of use increase, harm to the ozone increases.
Gradually over time, the causes of ozone layer depletion will significantly harm the earth. High levels of ultraviolet rays from the sun, or radiation exposure, will lead to soaring rates of skin cancer, a breakdown in the immune system in humans and animals, a destruction of plants and less plankton in oceans. In short, the balance of the earth's life system will be in upheaval.
Protocols are now in place in response to the identification of the main causes of ozone layer depletion. The U.S. Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocols are designed to lower or eliminate known substances that damage the ozone layer. Despite these international treaties, the problem will not fix itself quickly. It will take at least another century for the substances to be completely removed from the stratosphere and another 100 years for the ozone layer to return to its normal state.
A weakening of the stratospheric ozone was initially identified in 1974. By not addressing the causes of ozone layer depletion now, global warming is evident. As global warming begins, the temperature of the earth gets hotter, causing ice caps and glaciers to melt. Weather events, like droughts and hurricanes would become more severe. As the ozone layer significantly disappears, the earth would come in direct contact with the sun's heat and its damaging ultraviolet rays. - 15790
About the Author:
Daniel Stouffer has a lot more information on the need for effective refrigerant gas management and more information on the causes of ozone layer depletion.