What is ozone? It’s a natural umbrella of earth that protects the living beings from UV rays of sun. Earth’s atmosphere is divided into 4 layers – Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. Ozone umbrella is present in stratosphere that protects the whole earth from harmful radiations of sun including UV rays.

Ozone – Oxygen with three atoms

Oxygen exists as O2 giving life to all organisms on earth’s surface. If three atoms of oxygen combine together it becomes ozone (O3) protecting the whole living beings from harmful radiations and excess heat. UV rays are capable to split oxygen of atmosphere and such independent oxygen atoms combine with oxygen molecules forming ozone in stratosphere. The chemical composition of ozone was discovered in 1865 by Jacques-Louis Soret. The name was given by German Scientist Christian Friedrich Schonbein in 1940.

CFC - Villains of this protective shield

Real villains that cause damage to ozone layer are chlorine and bromine atoms. The main reason behind the depletion of this umbrella is chloro fluoro carbons, shortly known as CFC. CFC was first discovered by Thomas Midlay in 1920. CFC directly reaches stratosphere from troposphere and through chemical reaction with UV rays, decomposes to chlorine atoms destroying the Ozone umbrella.

September 16 – World Ozone day

The day since Montreal Protocol was signed September 16, 1987 this day is celebrated as “International day of Preservation of Ozone layer” to protect this sun screen. CFC, the threats of ozone was produced during 1970’s that became the real threat of this protection shield. From 10 lakh tones of CFC produced during 1970’s, in 1998 it has been reduced to 1.56 lakh tones. This protocol has helped a lot in reducing the production of CFC world-wide. Same is the case of bromine content in atmosphere. After 1998, its percentage in atmosphere has been reduced by 5%. Yet if they reach atmosphere, they stay there for long time giving threat to this earth’s natural shield. Only thing we can do is to do our minute helps to conserve our earth for future generations.

Ozone is a pale blue gas which is harmful to human health. Yet, this invisible shield is most important to protect us from UV rays and a lot of skin diseases due to sun exposure. Depletion of this layer has already formed ozone hole in the poles and has increased global temperature and melting of ice at poles. Just have a thought!

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On March 25, 2013lView All Articles

I love nature and its blessings a lot! Please save Ozone

Article Source :

http://www.veethi.com/articles/sky-umbrella-is-leaking-article-1846.htm

Keywords :
sky umbrella , ozone , ozone depletion , CFC