What the ozone layer of the planet protects us from

What the ozone layer of the planet protects us from

In the top part of a stratosphere of Earth, at the height from 20 to 50 km, there is an ozone layer – triatomic oxygen. Under the influence of ultra-violet radiation the molecule of usual oxygen (O2) attaches one more atom, and the molecule of ozone (O3) is as a result formed.

Protective layer of the planet

The more ozone is in the atmosphere, the it is capable to absorb the bigger number of ultra-violet radiation. Without protection the radiation will be too intensive and will be able to put all live considerable damages and thermal burns, and can lead the person to skin cancer.

If evenly to distribute all ozone of the atmosphere across the territory of 45 square kilometers in size, its thickness will be only 0.3 cm.

Harm of ozone on the surface of the planet

When exhaust gases and industrial emissions react with beams of the sun, as a result of photochemical reactions ground ozone is formed. Usually this phenomenon occurs in megalopolises and the large cities. Inhalation of such ozone is dangerous. As this gas is strong oxidizer, it with ease can destroy living tissues. Not only people, but also plants suffer.

Destruction of an ozone layer

In 70 years during the researches it was noticed that gas the freon which is applied in conditioners, fridges and barrels with a huge speed destroys ozone. Having risen in the top atmospheres of a layer, freona emit chlorine which displays ozone on usual and atomic oxygen. In the place of such interactions the ozone hole is formed.

What protects an ozone layer from

Ozone holes are widespread everywhere, but with change of a set of factors they are blocked by ozone from the next layers of the atmosphere. Those, in turn, become thinner. The ozone layer acts as the only barrier on the way destroying ultra-violet and radiation of the sun. Without ozone layer the immune system of the person would be destroyed.

According to the estimates of scientists, reduction of an ozone layer by only 1% increases cancer cases probability by 3-6%.

Reduction of amount of ozone in the atmosphere is unpredictable will change climate on the planet. As the ozone layer detains warmly which dissipates from the Earth's surface, in process of ozone layer exhaustion the climate will become colder, the direction of some winds will change. All this will lead to natural cataclysms.

Montreal protocol

In 1989 most the states which are members of the UN signed an agreement according to which production of ozone-depleting freon and gases has to be stopped. By calculations of scientists, after signing of the agreement the ozone layer has to be restored completely by 2050.

Author: «MirrorInfo» Dream Team


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