The Ozone Layer

We know that sunlight is very important for our body. It provides us vitamin D but it also reflects ultraviolet rays which is very harmful for every life on the earth. It causes skin irritation and even a very serious disease like cancer. But there is already a protective layer for us in the atmosphere, called the ozone layer.

Wait, you don't know about it? Then don't worry in this article we will learn about it in a very easy and understandable way. We are going to discuss that protective ozone layer. What is the ozone layer? Importance of ozone layer, causes of ozone depletion, and will also discuss chlorofluorocarbon and some CFC facts also. So now let's get started.

Ozone Layer 

What is the Ozone Layer?

Ozone layer is a layer of gases; it's not just the layer of gas it's the layer of protective gases that covers the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun. So, maybe the question arises in your mind that how the ozone layer is formed or the ozone gas is formed. Let's learn it here. 

Ozone layer is made with the ozone gas, and ozone gas is formed when the molecules of the oxygen come in contact with the sunlight so the ozone is formed. 

That's why the formula for ozone is O3. It works as a shield to the UV radiation of the sun and  protects us from harmful diseases like cancer. But due to global warming, it's depleting and in Antarctica there's a hole seen in the ozone layer. 

Importance of Azone Layer 

Importance of Ozone Layer

• It protects all living organisms from the harmful radiation of the sun. 

• The lower part of the ozone layer which is in the atmosphere removes the unwanted pollutants from the earth surface. 

• Ozone layer acts as a shield for the beautiful life existing on the earth.

Causes of Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone depletion means gradual thinning of the earth's ozone layer.

Ozone layer depletion is primarily caused by human activities. But the main effect of ozone depletion is chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). It was the main reason why it was banned because it depletes the ozone layer, and averts a dangerous rise in the level of UV rays from the sun. And if the UV rays rise then it can cause many harm to the beautiful life on the earth. 

We can also do many things to prevent the depletion of ozone layer like we can conduct regular inspection and maintenance of our air conditioner and refrigerators, by not buying aerosol products, by buying wood products that were not treated with methyl bromide. 

Ozone Depletion 

What is Chlorofluorocarbon?

Chlorofluorocarbons or CFC are non toxic chemicals which contain atoms of carbon, fluorine and chlorine. They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, packing material like foam, as solvent and as refrigerants.CFC is non toxic but still it's harmful for the environment because it depletes the earth's atmospheric ozone layer. 

It has been released in the atmosphere since the 1930s in various applications.In 1987 the chlorofluorocarbon was banned worldwide because it was depleting the ozone layer. 

Facts About Chlorofluorocarbon 

• Sweden is the first country who has banned chlorofluorocarbons.

• Chlorofluorocarbons are also the greenhouse gases. 

• The alternative of chlorofluorocarbon is hydrocarbon which does not destroy the ozone layer and also doesn't increase global warming. 

• There is a hole in the ozone layer because of chlorofluorocarbons.

• CFC is non toxic to humans and is a non-inflammable alternative as compared to many other chemicals. 

Summary

So, in this article we learned so many interesting things about the invisible layer of earth that's the ozone layer. We learned how the ozone is formed in what we call its protective layer.We had learned about it in a very interesting way we had discussed here all the important topics like- what is the ozone layer, importance of ozone layer, what are the causes of ozone depletion, what is CFC , through what appliances it get released and we had also discussed about some of the CFC facts.