what is ozone layer depletion ?
Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen and is more stable than the two-atom oxygen (O2). O3 is a tri-atomic molecule of oxygen. The ozone layer is found in the atmosphere at a height of about 15 to 30 km from the surface of the Earth.
Ozone is a poisonous gas that has harmful effects on the respiratory system of animals. However, this gas protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of sun. The ozone layer protects and prevents these ultraviolet radiations from reaching the Earth’s surface.
Some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiations are given below.
Skin cancer
Cataract (clouding of the natural lens of the eye, thereby causing impairment of vision or blindness)
Reduction in plant growth
Decrease in productivity of crops
Reduced phytoplankton
Weakening of the immune system
Eye cancer etc.
This useful ozone layer is getting depleted as a result of pollution. The pollutants that are responsible for depleting the ozone layer are gases such as chlorine and fluorine.