Question

(i)What depletes the ozone layer in the stratosphere? How does this affect human life?

(ii) Write one damaging effect of ozone depletion on humans and plants, respectively.

Answer 1

(i)

Ozone layer: The ozone layer, which exists between $15$ and $30$ kilometers above the earth in the stratosphere, protects us and all living creatures from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. The depletion of the ozone layer may have serious consequences for human health and the environment.

1. The stratosphere is the layer of the earth's atmosphere where the ozone layer is found, and in the lower section of the stratosphere, most commercial airplanes travel.
2. The stratosphere's ozone layer protects a part of the sun's energy, blocking it from hitting the planet's surface.

Ozone Depletion in the stratosphere:

1. Ozone molecules get destroyed when chlorine and bromine particles come into touch with them in the stratosphere.
2. Before it has been evacuated from the stratosphere, each chlorine atom may damage over 100,000 ozone molecules.
3. Ozone may be destroyed faster than it can be formed.
4. Whenever some substances are exposed to high UV radiation in the stratosphere, they emit chlorine or bromine.
5. These chemicals are known as ozone-depleting substances( (ODS)) because they contribute to ozone depletion.
6. Ozone-depleting substances include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons etc

Affect on human life:

1. Increased Ultraviolet rays levels at the Earth's surface are caused by ozone layer depletion, and this is harmful to human health.
2. Increases in some kinds of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and immune deficiency problems are among the negative consequences.

(ii)

The damaging effect of ozone depletion on humans:

1. UV-B damages the DNA mutations.
2. It damages the skin cells.
3. Inflammation of the cornea results in snow blindness.
4. Diseases of cataracts and blurred vision diseases.

The damaging effect of ozone depletion on plants:

1. Burning the plant tissue by entering into stomata.
2. It affects the quality of vegetation.
3. It affects the growth of trees.
4. It reduces the soil quality.