Essay On Ozone Hole

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Recommended: Effects of global warming on the planet

In this document I will explain how the ozone hole is formed and the effects that it has on the environment, what global warming is and how it is caused, and the ways, if any, in which these two phenomena are linked together. Both the ozone hole and global warming have an effect on the environment. They have been a cause for concern amongst researchers as these effects appear to be harmful to most aspects of life. Ways to reverse these phenomena and prevent their further development are being actively researched.
The ozone layer is situated in the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere. It is important to the on-going stability of life on Earth as it prevents harmful UV-B radiation from reaching the troposphere (i.e. the layer of atmosphere that we live in). Were this radiation to reach us in large quantities, it could mutate the DNA in our cells and have fatal results. It is thanks to the ozone layer that this doesn’t happen, but a hole has formed in the ozone layer over Antarctica which could affect us severely. The ozone hole is a great loss of ozone molecules in the stratosphere above Antarctica. During winter, wind vortexes form around Antarctica and temperatures drop to below -78oC which result in ice, nitric acid and sulphuric acid clouds. Reactions of chlorofluorocarbon molecules using these clouds as a reaction surface result in active forms of halogens from the chlorofluorocarbons being stored. The ozone hole forms as spring arrives along with warmer temperatures and the active halogens are released and act as catalysts to eliminate the ozone molecules. Ozone levels can drop to around 50% during this time. In the following months, the ozone hole is able to repair itself, but this is a slow process.i
Chlorofluorocarbon m...

... middle of paper ...

...e hole and tropospheric ozone are not linked and do not have an impact on each other, so is not a link between the ozone hole and global warming.
CFCs and phytoplankton exposed to UV radiation are both links between the ozone hole and global warming, but overall there aren’t many significant links between the two. Neither have a great impact on the other, but they both do have significant impacts on the environment, and they are potentially detrimental to our future survival on this planet. They are both heavy topics of research and scientists are trying to find ways to reverse the phenomena caused by our own negligence in the use of CFCs and fossil fuels. Neither of these phenomena are to be taken lightly; evidence shows they both have consequences if they continue to get worse, so we need to find a solution if we want to stop serious future changes to the climate.

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