Ozone Layer Depletion (Problems and Solutions)

Works Cited

Levi, Barbara Goss. "OZONE DEPLETION AT THE POLES: THE HOLE STORY

EMERGES. (Cover Story)." Physics Today 41.7 (1988): 17. Science Reference

Center. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.

Dioum, Babia. "Earth Resource Foundation." Earth Resource Foundation.

N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. <http://www.earthresource.org/campaigns/

capp/capp-styrofoam.html>.

Solutions to the Problem

"How Does Ozone Depletion Affect UV Levels and Life on Earth." How Does Ozone

Depletion Affect UV Levels and Life on Earth. N.p., 2010. Web. 13 Jan. 2014.

<http://eschooltoday.com/ozone-depletion/effects-of-ozone-depletion.html>.

-find a more environmentally friendly substitute for foam products that does not harm the environment

"Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion | Science | Ozone Layer Protection | US

EPA." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 21 Jan. 2011. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.

<http://www.epa.gov/spdpublc/science/effects/index.html>.

- people living areas with holes in the ozone layer can prevent themselves from possibly getting skin cancer by applying sunscreen/sun block or wearing sunglasses that have UV ray protection to prevent cataracts

-completely ban the production of goods that produce chemicals (CFCs, HCFCs, etc) that deplete the ozone layer

How The Changes Affect Humans

-changes in the ozone layer can have devastated effects on humans due to an increase of skin cancer and cataracts as less UV rays are being absorbed

http://evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/2011/07/07/considering-all-of-the-evidence-on-sunscreen/

-if phytoplankton are being harmed, this could also have a negative impact on the fishing industry and humans because many people fish for a living and eat fish daily.

http://www.foamguardinsulation.com/products/home-residential/

How They Are Being Changed

- changes in phytoplankton growth, can also affect many food chains because phytoplankton is a primary producer. A decline in phytoplankton can lead to the extinction of many key and important species.

http://www.contactsandspecs.com/blinde-sunglasses/blinde-sunglasses-fellini-489.aspx

- holes have began to appear due to the ozone layer thinning out has in impact on the biosphere, mostly affects humans, as there are less UV rays are being absorbed

http://thewmeacblog.org/2012/06/28/the-dilemma-of-styrofoam/

-if less is being absorbed, then more is reaching the Earth's surface, and this can cause an increase in skin cancer and cataracts rates

Natural Systems Affected

-changes in the amount of UV rays absorbed, can affect the growth of phytoplankton (a starter to many food chains) and this could affect fishing industries around the world

http://plcmets.pbworks.com/w/page/17241137/IRC%3A%20Food%20Chains%20and%20Food%20Webs

-affects natural gases such as carbon dioxide and could actually lead to an increase of greenhouse gases causing further problems

- humans (increase in skin cancer rates)

- phytoplankton growth

-plant growth

- increase in cataracts on eyes

- affects the balance of natural gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide

Problems

- early use of CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) began the depletion of the ozone. The chlorine molecules from CFCs combine with the ozone, thus destroying valuable ozone particles.

- CFCs came from refrigerators, air conditioning and freezers. CFCs have been banned in many countries, but the molecules stay in the ozone layer for more than 50 years

- the use of foam products also has an effect on the ozone layer as the

hydrocarbons used to make the product go into the atmosphere and

combine with nitrogen oxides produce ozone near ground level

(troposphere).

http://www.theozonehole.com/

- disposing foam products also has an impact on the ozone

layer as it contains HCFCs (which is less harmful than

CFCs, but still remains and will damage the ozone

layer).

http://bennisinc.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/entrainment-a-school-of-yogi-fish/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoplankton

http://lakechamplainea.wordpress.com/regulating-services-r2/phytoplankton-and-cyanobacteria/

http://www.optimumhealthvitamins.com/OptiBlog/tabid/105/entryid/288/cataracts.aspx

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/ozone-layer3.htm

http://www.ozoneminnesota.com/ozone-therapy/ozone-molecule/

Ozone Layer Depletion

by: Annie Lei (Geography 12)