Importance of Ozone Hole - Essay Example

Introduction Ozone Hole refers to an area in the Antarctic ozone layer with reduced concentration of ozone, which has a sum of less than two hundred and twenty (220) Dobson Units. In the year 1985, three British scientists Farman, Gardiner and Shanklin officially discovered the Antarctic Ozone Hole. The ozone hole is formed when the ozone in the stratosphere is eroded as a result of chemical reactions as active chlorine molecules react with ozone molecules. Chemical reactions under very low temperatures (below -780 C) that release chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromines deplete fast and severely the ozone layer causing the ozone hole. Prasad (20) estimated that chlorofluorocarbons from the earth take between twenty five to thirty years to reach the ozone sphere. Therefore, the hole present is because of the effects of chlorofluorocarbons and bromine active molecules released over twenty five years ago. After winter, the temperatures increases and cause the ice to evaporates. Consequently, in spring and summer the ozone hole reduces as the ozone layer goes through the recovery process. Therefore, ozone hole enlarges in winter and constricts during the spring and summer. Ozone layer absorbs the UV-B and depletion of the ozone is dangerous because it permits the UV-B to reach the earth surface (Zerefos 263). When living things are exposed to UV-B, animal kingdom especially the human beings suffer from various skin cancers and suppressed immune systems. On the other Hand, it destroys the plants and aquatic ecosystem. History Three British scientists Farman, Gardiner and Shanklin were the first scientists to prove the existence of the ozone hole in the Antarctic ozone layer. According to Selverstone (86), part of the ozone layer column at the Antarctica disappears during September. Satellite studies and observations revealed average decrease of ozone layer values in the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1980’s and early 1990’s, the ozone hole increased in size and in late 1990’s and 2000’s, the ozone hole remained constant; an indication that ozone layer recovery was being experienced. Jacobson (295) said that the ozone hole reached 30, 000,000 km2 in the year 2000. According to Tennesene (2004), the ozone hole widened further in 1990’s because of Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991. According to Ozone hole (2010), the ozone hole in the past has grown up to twenty-seven million square kilometers (27,000,000 km2) in size and had existed over a period of over five months (August to December) (CIA 23). According to Tzafestas (123), the German Aerospace Centre indicated that ozone loss was measured to be 27,000,000 km2, 25,000,000 km2 and 29,000,000 km2 in 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively. Currently, the global ozone layer has fallen by about 4 percent as compared to that of between 1964 and 1980. Arndt et al (5133) revealed that in 2009 the ozone hole reached the lowest size of 22,900,000 km2 as compared to the last one and half decades. This could be attributable to about 4.3 percent reduction of ozone eroding gases and substances as compared to those of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Following the initiatives such as the implementation of the Montreal protocol of 1987 and Copenhagen treaty, the ozone layer improved significantly and measured tenth (10th) largest in 2009. Future concerns The world leaders with help of their science and technology scientists hope to reduce the depletion of the ozone layer. This is because stopping the depletion of the ozone layer will also help to reduce the negative impacts that accompany ozone depletion. The implementation of Montreal protocol of 1987 will help to reduce or eliminate the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromines. As a result, it will help to prevent the erosion of the ozone layer. However, there are emerging concerns that effects of chlorofluorocarbons released between 1945 and late 1990’s is between ten to twenty times that have been released earlier as a result of increased human activity (Prasad, 20). Therefore, larger ozone hole is expected in the future. Most scientists predicted that the future will be more difficult to all the living things because more of the ozone layer will be depleted and larger ozone hole is expected. This will increase the amount of toxic UV-B reaching the earth surface and endanger the lives of all living things. Governments and non-governmental organizations are taking steps (direct and indirect measures) to reduce production of chlorofluorocarbons as well as reduce the corrosion of the ozone layer. First, direct methods include the use of powerful radio waves, plugging ozone holes and production of ozone layer. Powerful radio waves that produce negative chlorine ions are transmitted to the stratosphere to turn the neutral chlorine ions into negative chlorine ions believed to be harmless to the ozone. Physicist Wong of University of California suggested that balloons need to be used to plug ozone holes. Finally, Ozone Help proposes generation of ozone using ozonator equipment that generates charges of over 15,000 volts to produce ozone. Secondly, indirect methods refer to reduction or elimination of the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons and other dangerous gases. This can be done by reducing or replacing chlorofluorocarbons based refrigents with ammonia and water, recycling items and using mixtures that are non-azeotropic. Causes of ozone hole The world scientists have discovered that a combination of acidic substances and low temperatures cause chemical reactions that release chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromines that are harmful to the ozone layer. Furthermore, manufactured chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromines cause direct depletion to the ozone layer. Bromine was found to be more destructive to the ozone as compared to active chlorine molecules (Chiras 436). Ice was identified as ideal condition for converting stable chlorine compounds into active chlorine compounds that trigger chemical reactions in the ozone layer that destroy the ozone and cause ozone hole. It has been discovered that a single molecule of active chlorine can destroy hundreds of ozone molecules. Prasad (20) assert that manufacturing and using automobiles; creation and utilization of refrigeration plants as well as installing and operating thermal and/ or nuclear power generating plants yield and release massive quantities of ozone depleting gases into the atmosphere. Indiscriminate cutting of trees, mining and construction cause ecological imbalance and can lead to ozone depletion. Furthermore, modernization of agricultural activities as well as refrigeration and air conditioning using high ozone depleting properties cause ozone hole. The world leaders implement laws and policies such as Montreal protocol of 1987 to reduce or eliminate man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This has helped reduce the emissions of chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere. There have also been campaigns to restore the environments by planting more trees and using renewable source of energy. All the above initiatives are aimed at reducing the erosion of the ozone layer to protect all living organism from dangerous rays or radiations. Sources Arndt, D., Baringer, M. and M.J ohnson. State of the Climate in 2009: Special Supplement. “Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society” (Vol. 91, No. 6, June 2010) DIANE Publishing Chiras, Daniel D. Environmental Science. 8th ed. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2010. CIA. World Fact Book 2010, Book 2010. New York: Skyhorse Publishing Inc., 2009. Jacobson, Mark Z. Atmospheric pollution: history, science, and regulation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Prasad, Manohar. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. New Delhi: New Age International, 2007 Selverstone, Harriet S. Encouraging and supporting student inquiry: researching controversial issues. USA: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. Tennesene, Michael. The complete idiots guide to global warming. London: Alpha Books, 2004. The Ozone hole 2010 21 September. 2010 http://www.theozonehole.com/ Tzafestas, Spyros G. Human and Nature Minding Automation: An Overview of Concepts, Methods, Tools and Applications. Germany: Springer, 2010 Zerefos, Christos. Twenty Years of Ozone Decline: Proceedings of the Symposium for the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol. Germany: Springer, 2009. Read More