OZONE LAYER OZONE LAYER DEPLETIONDEPLETION

1.1. Why the hole in the atmospheric Why the hole in the atmospheric ozone layer above us?ozone layer above us?

2.2. What has been done about this?What has been done about this?3.3. Why should I worry ourselves Why should I worry ourselves

about the Ozone Layer Depletion?about the Ozone Layer Depletion?

Good life at the beach Good life at the beach threatened?threatened?

Mr. OZONEMr. OZONE: : Will I be able to continue Will I be able to continue enjoying this life without problems?enjoying this life without problems?

What is Ozone? Ozone What is Ozone? Ozone Layer?Layer? Ozone (O3)Ozone (O3) is a highly-reactive from of is a highly-reactive from of

oxygen. oxygen. Ozone has a strong scent and is blue in color. Ozone has a strong scent and is blue in color. OzoneOzone exists within both the tropospheric and exists within both the tropospheric and

stratospheric zones of the Earth’s atmospherestratospheric zones of the Earth’s atmosphere In the troposphereIn the troposphere, ground level ozone is a , ground level ozone is a

major air pollutant and primary constituent of major air pollutant and primary constituent of photochemical smog photochemical smog

In the stratosphere,In the stratosphere, the the ozone layer is an ozone layer is an essential protector of life on earth as it absorbs essential protector of life on earth as it absorbs harmful UV radiation before it reaches the harmful UV radiation before it reaches the earth.earth.

CFC’s and ozone CFC’s and ozone depletiondepletion

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are created and used in are created and used in refrigerators and air refrigerators and air conditioners. These CFC conditioners. These CFC are not harmful to humans are not harmful to humans and have been a benefit to and have been a benefit to us. Once released into the us. Once released into the atmosphere, CFC are atmosphere, CFC are bombarded and destroyed bombarded and destroyed by ultraviolet rays. In the by ultraviolet rays. In the process chlorine is process chlorine is released to destroy the released to destroy the ozone moleculesozone molecules

Destruction of ozone by Destruction of ozone by chlorinechlorine

Effects of UV rays on Aquatic Effects of UV rays on Aquatic EcosystemsEcosystems

Ozone depletion causes increases Ozone depletion causes increases in UV rays’s effects on aquatic in UV rays’s effects on aquatic ecosystems by:ecosystems by:

1. 1. decreasing the abundance of decreasing the abundance of phytoplankton – affects the food stock phytoplankton – affects the food stock for fishes and the absorption of CO2for fishes and the absorption of CO2

2. decreasing the diversity of aquatic 2. decreasing the diversity of aquatic organisms – reduces food stock and organisms – reduces food stock and also destroys several fish and also destroys several fish and amphibians.amphibians.

Effects of UV rays on Effects of UV rays on Terrestrial EcosystemsTerrestrial Ecosystems

Damage to plant cell DNA molecules - Damage to plant cell DNA molecules - makes plants makes plants more susceptible to more susceptible to pathogens and pests pathogens and pests

Reductions in photosynthetic capacity Reductions in photosynthetic capacity in in the plant - results in slower growth and the plant - results in slower growth and smaller leavessmaller leaves

Causes mutations in mammalian cells Causes mutations in mammalian cells and destroys membranesand destroys membranes

Harmful effects of UV rays Harmful effects of UV rays on peopleon people

Skin cancerSkin cancer Premature aging (photoaging) of the Premature aging (photoaging) of the

skin (different from normal skin (different from normal chronological aging)chronological aging)

Cataracts and eye disorders (corneal Cataracts and eye disorders (corneal sunburn and blindness)sunburn and blindness)

Immune system damageImmune system damage

    The Importance Of Proper The Importance Of Proper Management Of Management Of

Development Activities Development Activities And The EcosystemAnd The Ecosystem

Bring about positive effects on the environment by taking measures to carryout proper

management of development activities such as conserving and preserving living organisms and

the environment.

and  

Provide electrical power to the whole country, dams are constructed across rivers with little

consideration of their impact on the environment. 

Managing development activities to ensure a balanced ecosystem

Forests must be managed properly so that they can continue to perform their vital environmental functions and to release their enormous economic potential. The number of mature trees which can be removed must be

replaced by replanting new trees.

  Greater productivity from existing agricultural lands will

also reduce the pressure to convert more forests to these uses.

In this way, we can still continue to farm and harvest timber while protecting the Earth’s biodiversity