Question

8. How is depletion of ozone layer caused? What is its effect on our environment?

Answer 1

Ozone in the atmosphere is getting depleted. Due to this, ozone layer is getting thinner day by day. The depletion of ozone layer is due to the use of ozone depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and other halons. These chemicals are used in refrigeration, fire extinguishers and aerosols. When released in the air, chlorofluorocarbons destroy the ozone layer gradually and make it thinner. This allows more ultraviolet radiations reaching the earth.

Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion on our environment.

Thinning of ozone layer has already started showing an adverse effects on life on the earth and on man:

1. More mutations in plants and animals lead to sterility, low production rate and low viability.
2. Decline in photosynthesis up to 20%
3. Increase in CO, concentration in the atmosphere due to reduced photosynthesis. This will lead to global warming.
4. In human beings increased UV radiation will increase incidences of skin cancer, affect the immune system causing increase in the diseases, affect the eye sight, photobombing and increase in the cases of cataract.
5. In case ozone layer is destroyed completely, UV radiation from the sun would reach to the earth and life will come to an end.