Ozone holes - the problem of our time

Ozone is contained in gaseous waste that is thrown away by enterprises, and is a dangerous chemical. It is a very active element and can cause corrosion of structural elements of all kinds of structures. Nevertheless, in the atmosphere, ozone is transformed into an invaluable assistant, without which life on Earth could simply not exist.

The stratosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that follows the one in which we live. The upper part of it is covered by ozone, its content in this layer is 3 molecules per 10 million other air molecules. Despite the fact that the concentration is very low, ozone plays an important function - it is able to block the path of ultraviolet rays coming from space simultaneously with sunlight. Ultraviolet rays adversely affect the structure of living cells and can cause the development of diseases such as eye cataract, cancer and other serious ailments.

The basis for protecting the ozone layer is the following principle. At a time when molecules of oxygen are encountered in the path of ultraviolet rays, the reaction of their splitting into 2 oxygen atoms occurs. The formed atoms are combined with unsplit molecules, creating molecules of ozone, consisting of 3 oxygen atoms. When ultraviolet rays meet with ozone molecules, the latter destroy them by three oxygen atoms. The moment of splitting of molecules is accompanied by the release of heat, and the surface of the Earth they no longer reach.

Ozone holes

The process of converting oxygen into ozone and vice versa is called the oxygen-ozone cycle. Its mechanism is balanced, however, the dynamism varies depending on the intensity of solar radiation, the season and natural disasters, in particular, the volcanic eruption. Scientists concluded that human life adversely affects its thickness. Depletion of the ozone layer has been recorded in recent decades in many places. In some cases, it disappeared completely. How to reduce the negative impact of a person on this cycle?

Ozone holes arise because the process of destruction of the protective layer proceeds much more intensively than its generation. This is due to the fact that in the process of human life, the atmosphere is polluted by various ozone-depleting compounds. These are, first of all, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, carbon and hydrogen. Scientists believe that chlorofluorocarbon compounds pose the main threat to the ozone layer. They are widely used in refrigeration plants, industrial solvents, air conditioners and aerosol cans.

Chlorine, reaching the ozone layer, enters with interaction with ozone molecules. A chemical reaction generates chlorine oxide and an oxygen molecule. When a chlorine oxide meets a free oxygen atom, another interaction occurs, as a result of which chlorine is released, and an oxygen molecule appears. In the future, the chain repeats, because chlorine is not able to go beyond the atmosphere or fall to the ground. Ozone holes are a consequence of the fact that the concentration of this element decreases because of its accelerated splitting when foreign extraneous constituents appear in its layer.

Locations

The largest ozone holes are found over the Antarctic. The size of them practically corresponds to the area of the continent itself. This area is practically not populated, but scientists are concerned that the breach may spread to other regions of the planet, which are intensively inhabited. This is fraught with ecological catastrophe and the death of the Earth.

To prevent the reduction of the ozone layer, it is necessary first of all to reduce the amount of destructive substances released into the atmosphere. In 1987, the Montreal Treaty was signed in 180 countries, which provides for a reduction in the release of substances containing chlorine in a phased manner. Now, the ozone holes are diminishing, and scientists hope that the situation will be completely corrected by 2050.