Ozone Layer Depletion - Essay Example

Ozone depletion Supervisor April 17, Ozone depletion Ozone depletion Introduction Ozone became a major during the global warming debate that identified its significance to environmental stability. The matter that is a colourles and unstable gas exists in the earth’s periphery. Most of it is confined in the ozone layer and it moderates effects of rays from the sun through absorbing the rays. Fears of depletion of the layer that could have undermined the role of absorbing sunrays formed the basis of arguments that depletion of the layer was a one of the possible causes of global warming. Below is a discussion of ozone depletion with focus on chemical aspects such as composition and properties, causes of ozone depletion, chemical actions that define depletion, and chemical effects of ozone depletion. Chemical composition Ozone is a chemical substance, existing in molecular state and consisting or three oxygen atoms. It is a product of chemical reactions and because of its unstable condition, can easily dissociate if triggered. Its formation begins with dissociation of an oxygen molecule to form oxygen atoms through the following path and under ultra violet radiation. O2(g) O(g)+ O(g) The process occurs under photochemical dissociation and the oxygen atoms react with oxygen molecules in the presence of stabilizing factors, such as nitrogen molecules and oxygen molexules, to form the ozone. Ready availsbility of oxygen molecules from which dissociation occurs means ease of formation of the ozone gas. the following equations shows the reaction into formation of ozone (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2010, p. 1). O2(g)+ O(g)+ M O3(g)+ M M is merely a stabilizing agent. The ozone can also dissociate easily in the presence of such catalysts as nitrogen monoxide, chloride atoms, and chloro-fluoro carbons. The following equation shows the dissociation that also defines depletion of the ozone. O3(g) + O(g) 2O(g) The ozone is therefore a chemical substance whose existence also depend on other chemicals in its environment. the other chemicals may facilitate formation of the ozone, as oxygen and nitrogen molecules do, of may facilitate dissociation as do chlorine atoms and chloro-fluoro carbons (Columbia University n.d., p. 1). Chemical properties of the ozone Ozone is an unstable chemical and easily dissociated into oxygen molecules, in the presence of catalysts. It also has a short half life and therefore dissociates independently to characterize depletion. This means that its continuous formation and minimal chemical dissociation are necessary for stability in its volume. Ozone is also soluble in water and the solubility is a factor of both temperature and concentration. it its gaseous state, higher concentration of ozone increases its solubility in water. The solubility, however, reduces with increase in temperature. Decomposition of ozone in water however limits the solubility and is more significant in alkaline water. It is also more soluble in water than is oxygen. Ozone also undergoes oxidation reactions and this can be direct or radical oxidation. Its oxidation reaction can also occur it its gaseous state or in aqueous form. In addition, ozone reacts with organic substances and other chemicals in its environment (The United States National Library of Medicine 2015, p. 1). Causes of ozone depletion: Chemical reactions that threaten ozone depletion The chemical properties ozone and its dissociation factors explains the chemical aspects of the gas’ depletion. One of causes of ozone depletion is its natural disintegration and the short half life explains this. the short half life also suggest that without automatic, or natural mechanisms, for formation of ozone, its depletion would be natural. History of Ozone’s natural stability, in terms of volume however suggests that formation of the gas has countered depletion due to natural dissociation. Oxidation reaction between ozone and other chemicals such as organic matter and dissociation that chemical elements catalyze are other causes of ozone depletion. Chemicals such as chlorine and chlorofuolro carbons facilitates dissociation of ozone into oxygen molecules and industrial generation of the chemicals, as wastes, implies high rates of dissociation and depletion of the ozone. Even though the chemicalsdo not react with ozone, they trigger chemical processes into the depletion (Columbia University n.d., p. 1). Chemical causes of ozone depletion has also dominated literature on theories on formation of ozone hole. Chemicals such as hydrogen chloride and ClONO2 were initially associated with the depletion and later studies suggested that chemistry is the basis of ozone depletion. Effects of cosmic rays in formation of radicals that then react with ozone have also been identified to support significance of chemicals to ozone depletion (Hannigan, Batchelor, and Coffey 2012, p. 339). Even earlier studies seemed to establish significance of chemical processes to ozone depletion over other possible causes. Three classes of theories were initially offered to explain depletion of ozone and two of the classes identified the role of chemicals. solar theories explained the role of accumulated nitrogen compounds on depletion of the ozone while chemical theories suggested the role human activities in accumulation of such chemicals as chlorine and bromine compounds that destroyed the ozone. Another initial explanation to loss of ozone, though this explained loss in particular regions and not overall loss, was mechanical effects of winds that could transfer ozone from a location. Subsequent studies however supported the role of chemicals in destruction of ozone and consistency of data supports validity of the chemical theories (Berkley University n.d., p. 1). Irrefutable empirical evidence, according to Brune (2015, p. 75), have also been developed to support the chemical theories and effects of the evidence on global measures for controlling ozone depletion shows validity of the role of chemicals. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was the first international treaty to address chemical effects on the ozone layer and its scope that identifies expertise involvement in informing decisions supports validity of the role of chemicals in depletion of the ozone. Provisions of the protocol, which sought to reduce global level chlorofluoro carbons in the air, succeeded and according to the author, anticipated effects of the gases were eliminated. Sandhiya, Kolandaivel, and Senthilkumar (2013, p. 12) have also supported the chemical perspective to ozone depletion through affirming significance of nitrogen dioxide. Scientific forecasts suggests that with effected measures for controlling chemical emissions into the atmosphere, overall volume of gaseous chemicals that threaten ozone depletion are likely to reduce as well as ozone depletion (Classroom Antarctica 2014, p. 1). Earlier scientific data suggested reduced rate of increment in volume of the gases and lower effects on ozone depletion (Earth System Research Laboratory 2010, p. 1) and comparative analysis of the trend shows that through controlling chemical emissions, especially chemicals that have been associated with ozone depletion, th rate of depletion is likely to decline. Chemical effects of ozone depletion Ozone depletion has also reported chemical effects. It leads to excessive ultraviolet radiations that influences biogeochemical cycles on land and in water bodies. This alters composition of gaseous chemicals, especially greenhouse gases, and even ozone. The resultant excessive ration from depleted ozone also chemical materials such as synthetic polymers and biopolimers (Environmental Protection Agency 2015, p. 1). Conclusion Ozone depletion a significant environment issue because of its effects and the fact that its causes can be controlled. It is a molecue that forms and dissociated through chemical processes though its dissociation can also be natural. Its chemical properties such as solubility in water and reactivity explains its depletion that has become a theat to the atmosphere, elicited globa control measures, and has global chemical effects such as effects on chemical composition of the atmosphere and effects on polymers. List of bibliography National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2010, How is Ozone formed in the atmosphere? National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd/assessments/ozone/2010/twentyquestions/Q2.pdf >. Columbia University n.d., The Kinetics of atmospheric ozone, Columbia University, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://www.columbia.edu/itc/chemistry/chem-c2407/hw/ozone_kinetics.pdf >. The United States National Library of Medicine 2015, Ozone, The United States National Library of Medicine, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ozone#section=Top >. Hannigan, Batchelor, and Coffey 2012, Berkley University n.d., The science checklist applied: CFCs and the destruction of the ozone layer, Berkley University, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/cfcs_checklist >. Brune 2015 Sandhiya, Kolandaivel, and Senthilkumar (2013 Classroom Antarctica 2014, Ozone depletion, Classroom Antarctica, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://classroom.antarctica.gov.au/climate/ozone-depletion >. Earth System Research Laboratory 2010, Scientific assessment of ozone depletion: 2010, Earth System Research Laboratory, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/csd/assessments/ozone/2010/executivesummary/ >. Environmental Protection Agency 2015, Health and environmental effects of ozone layer depletion, Environmental Protection Agency, Retrieved April 17, 2015, < http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/science/effects/index.html >. Read More