The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated in September 16, the same date that some countries signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987. The main objective of this celebration is to raise awareness about the importance of this layer and ways to avoid its destruction.
Read too: June 5th — World Environment Day
What is and how is the ozone layer formed?
THE layer of Ozon is gas layer located around the planet which is located at approximately 20 to 35 km of altitude. It is this layer responsible for ensuring that all living beings from Earth are protected from the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the Sun. Without her, there would probably be no life.
O ozone it is formed in the stratosphere, when ultraviolet radiation initially breaks oxygen molecules (O2) and releases atoms of this element (O). These atoms then join the oxygen molecules and form ozone (O3).
Destruction and hole in the ozone layer
Researchers have observed that this layer has been progressively destroyed thanks to the actions of men. In 1977, some British scientists warned about the existence of a hole in the ozone layer in the Antarctica region. Later studies showed that across the planet the layer was thinning.
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The ozone layer is affected by the emission of various substances, such as nitric and nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide. However, greater attention should be paid to chlorofluorocarbons, better known as CFCs. These compounds, which are found in aerosols and refrigeration equipment, reach the stratosphere, suffer the action of ultraviolet radiation and disintegrate, releasing chlorine.
Ochlorine reacts with ozone present in the layer and transforms it into a chlorine monoxide molecule and oxygen gas. Oxygen gas, unlike ozone, is not able to protect the Earth from ultraviolet rays, thus leaving it unprotected.
See too: Four new gases that deplete the ozone layer
Consequences of the destruction of the ozone layer
According to the United Nations Environment Program, the loss of 1% of the ozone layer is responsible for the emergence of at least 50,000 new cases of skin cancer. In addition to this problem, excess ultraviolet rays are also responsible for attacking the immune system and triggering the premature aging and vision problems.
In addition to reaching humans, radiation can affect all forms of life, and it is important to highlight the plankton destruction, which play an important role in the absorption of carbon dioxide, which is used in the process of photosynthesis.
Faced with these problems, some countries began to worry about the possible impacts that the depletion of the ozone layer could cause to human life. Thus, in 1985, some nations met in Austria to discuss the issue and the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, which had the objective of slowing down the layer thinning process.
In 1987, continuing the ozone layer protection policies, the Montreal Protocol, which established the reduction in the production and consumption of substances that directly affected this layer. All countries agreed and signed this commitment to the planet.
It is important to emphasize that everyone's commitment to ensure the health of the ozone layer has achieved positive results. In 2014, the United Nations reported that the tier is starting to recover.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "September 16 – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/datas-comemorativas/preservacao-camada-ozonio.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
Chemistry
Ozone coating that surrounds the Earth, why the ozone layer is destroyed, energy release, chlorofluorocarbons, photodecomposition of chlorofluorocarbon molecules, ozone depletion catalyst, atom of chlorine, ultraviolet rays
