“Global warming is a scientific fact as much as the hole in the ozone layer or Earth’s orbit around the sun.”
Johan Rockstrom
Ozone Depletion: Causes, Effects & Solutions
Ozone depletion (also referred to as ozone layer depletion) can be defined as the gradual thinning of the Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere which is caused by the release of chemical substances containing bromine or chlorine from industrial or other human activities.
Ozone depletion can be a serious problem for the environmental system since it has many adverse effects on our planet.
In the following, the causes, effects and also solutions to the ozone depletion issue are examined.
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Contents
What is the Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer can be defined as a region of the Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Compared to other parts of the atmosphere, it contains a high concentration of ozone.
The ozone layer is located in the lower portion of the stratosphere, around 9 to 21 miles above earth.
Why is the Ozone Layer important?
The ozone layer is of great importance to humanity as well as to the whole environmental system.
It protects the environment from exposure to ultraviolet radiation which can cause cancer and other serious diseases.
Excessive exposure to UV radiation is not only harmful to humans, but also for animals and plants.
Animals may also suffer from serious diseases caused by radiation and their fertility rates may decline.
It has also been observed that the growth of plants is adversely affected by exposure to UV radiation.
Thus, the ozone layer not only protects humans, but also the whole environment from many adverse effects of UV radiation.
It is therefore crucial to sustain the ozone layer.
Causes for Ozone Layer Depletion
- Sunspots
- Stratospheric winds
- Volcanic eruptions
- CFCs
- Halons
- Carbon Tetrachloride
- Methyl chloroform
- Methyl bromide
- HCFCs
- Human behavior
Sunspots
Sunspots can be defined as temporary phenomena on the sun’s photosphere and as regions of reduced surface temperature caused by magnetic field flux that inhibit convection.
Sunspots can have serious negative effects on the ozone layer since sunspots usually come along with an increase in UV-B radiation which in turn can change the ozone concentrations in the atmosphere.
Stratospheric winds
Another natural cause for the depletion of the ozone layer is stratospheric winds.
Stratospheric winds lead to an increase of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, which in turn amplifies the depletion of the ozone layer.
Volcanic eruptions
Volcanic eruptions can play an indirect role in the ozone layer destruction process.
Volcanoes emit large amounts of particles and aerosols when they erupt.
These emitted particles create a surface on which chemical reactions can take place which in turn can harm the ozone layer.
CFCs
CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) had been widely used for refrigerating purposes in the past.
The use of CFCs has declined substantially since it has been discovered that CFCs harm the ozone layer.
Moreover, CFCs also contribute to global warming.
Halons
Halons contribute to the ozone layer depletion since they contain bromine which has the potential to destroy the ozone in the stratosphere.
Halons can be ten times more harmful to the ozone layer than CFCs. Halons are primarily used in fire extinguishers.
Although halons are more harmful than CFCs to the ozone layer, CFCs are much more used than Halons.
Thus, the overall impact of CFCs on the depletion of the ozone layer is bigger than the impact of Halons.
Carbon Tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride also contributes to the ozone layer depletion since it contains chlorines which can harm the ozone layer.
Carbon tetrachloride is used in refrigerators as well as for solvents, soaps and insecticides.
However, its use declined over the last decades after scientists discovered the negative effects regarding the ozone layer depletion.
Methyl chloroform
Methyl chloroform is used for a variety of industrial processes.
It is mainly used for solvents to clean electronic and metal parts.
Ultraviolet radiation breaks up the substance into chlorine, which in turn can harm the ozone layer.
Methyl bromide
Methyl bromide is usually used as a fumigant in order to control pests in shipping and agriculture.
Methyl bromide is a serious ozone-depleting substance that is classified as Class I ozone-depleting substance.
HCFCs
HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are another source of the ozone layer depletion problem.
Although they have only a weak impact on the depletion of the ozone layer, HCFCs are still quite harmful to the environmental system since they are strong greenhouse gases.
HCFCs are currently replaced by HFCs since they do not contain chlorine and are therefore considered less damaging to the environmental system.
Human behavior
We contribute to ozone depletion through our daily life behavior.
For example, by using our cars, we emit greenhouse gases that are also harmful to the ozone layer.
Moreover, by buying food from remote parts of the world, we contribute to ozone layer depletion since we support long transportation distances which in turn result in the emission of harmful gases and in the depletion of the ozone layer.
Effects of Ozone Depletion
- Increased level of UV radiation
- Carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Effects on human health
- Increased tropospheric ozone
- Increased vitamin D production
- Change in biogeochemical cycles
- Effects on marine life
- Effects on animals
- Effects on plants
- Effects on crops
- Environmental impact
- Economic impact
Increased level of UV radiation
One of the main effects of the depletion of the ozone layer is an increased level of UV radiation which has many severe effects on humans as well as on other lifeforms.
Since the ozone layer usually blocks the radiation, a depletion of the ozone layer increases the level of ultraviolet radiation.
Excessive exposure to radiation can cause severe health issues for humans and could also affect animals and plants in an adverse way.
Carcinoma
One big health issue is carcinoma caused by excessive exposure to radiation caused by ozone layer depletion.
This is especially true for squamous and basal cell carcinomas, which scientists link to exposure to UVB radiation.
The absorption of UVB radiation causes changes in the DNA structure which in turn result in transcription errors when the DNA parts replicate.
Thus, ozone layer depletion contributes to an increased probability of carcinoma.
Melanoma
Another form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, which can also be caused by radiation due to ozone layer depletion.
It is quite harmful with a lethal rate between 15 and 20 percent of all diagnosed cases.
Scientists believe that the exposure to UVA as well as the exposure to UVB radiation can cause Melanoma.
Since ozone layer depletion leads to an increase in UVB exposure, it can be seen as a cause for Melanoma.
Effects on human health
Apart from serious health conditions like cancer, the ozone layer depletion can also have additional adverse effects on human health.
For example, it can lead to sunburns, cataracts, aging or also to a weak immune system which in turn can lead to additional diseases.
Increased tropospheric ozone
The depletion of the ozone layer also leads to an increase in tropospheric ozone which in turn can lead to health issues.
These health issues can be especially severe for elderly persons, children, or all persons who have respiratory difficulties.
Increased vitamin D production
Ozone layer depletion can also lead to an increase in vitamin D production since vitamin D is produced by ultraviolet light in the skin.
An increase in vitamin D in moderate amounts is rather uncritical or may even be beneficial to human health.
However, if the increase is too big, it can cause severe health conditions and can also increase the probability of mortality.
Change in biogeochemical cycles
Since the depletion of the ozone layer contributes to an increase in UVB radiation, this increase can lead to a change in biogeochemical cycles.
This change in biogeochemical cycles can alter sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and thus can indirectly contribute to the global warming issue.
Effects on marine life
Ozone layer depletion can also harm marine life in a severe way.
An increase in UVB radiation due to the depletion of the ozone layer can harm the growth of plankton.
Since plankton is consumed by many sea animals, a decrease in plankton may harm many other sea animals as well.
A decrease in plankton will therefore lead to a disruption of the whole marine food chain.
Effects on animals
The depletion of the ozone layer not only has adverse effects on marine life, but also on many other animals.
Similar to humans, animals can also suffer from skin cancer and additional diseases caused by UVB radiation.
The increase in UVB radiation is even more harmful to animals since they are not able to protect against it, in contrast to humans who can use sun protection measures.
Effects on plants
Ozone layer depletion may also have an adverse effect on the growth of plants.
Many plants are used to certain environmental conditions since they have developed their characteristics over many million years.
Thus, they may react quite sensitive to changes in their natural environmental conditions like an increase in UVB radiation due to ozone layer depletion.
Effects on crops
The depletion of the ozone layer may also affect crop yields.
UVB radiation is known to be able to change parts of the plant’s DNA. This may lead to reduced crop yields or other issues related to it.
Environmental impact
As we have already seen, there are several adverse effects of ozone layer depletion on our environment.
However, it is hard to estimate how severe the overall effect on the environment would be if the ozone layer continued to be depleted since there are many chain reactions that have to be taken into account.
However, it is estimated that without our ozone layer, the whole food chain would collapse within a few days or weeks.
Thus, we should make sure to take measures in order to preserve the ozone layer.
Economic impact
Since an increase in UVB radiation is likely to lead to lower crop yields and other harmful effects, the depletion of the ozone layer is likely to imply serious financial downsides on a global scale.
Solutions to the Ozone Depletion Problem
- Switch from car to public transport
- Limit transportation networks
- Renewable energies
- Stop deforestation
- Recycle and reuse
- Avoid the excessive use of fertilizers
- Avoid the use of pesticides
- Reduce CFCs
- Reduce nitrous oxides
- Government regulations
- Education
- Convince others
Switch from car to public transport
One measure against ozone layer depletion would be the reduction of private car use.
Since cars emit greenhouse gases which also turn into smog, cars vastly contributes to the ozone layer depletion issue since smog acts as a kind of catalyst in the ozone depletion process.
Moreover, the use of many vehicle fluids like refrigerants or antifreeze fluid also contribute ozone depletion since they contain chemicals like chlorines or bromines which hurt the ozone layer.
Thus, switching from private car use to public transport can be quite beneficial for our environment and also for our ozone layer.
Limit transportation networks
Transportation networks are an additional important contributor to ozone depletion.
In all different kinds of industries, huge amounts of goods have to be carried from A to B in order to be able to meet the local demand for food and other things.
This transportation behavior leads to an emission of large quantities of greenhouse gases and thus also hurts the ozone shield.
Therefore, a reduction in transportation processes would mitigate the ozone depletion issue to a certain degree.
In order to accomplish a reduction in transportation networks, it is crucial that many things are manufactured in local industries.
In this way, the distances from A to B can be reduced.
However, there are many issues with this idea.
For many goods, it is much cheaper to produce them abroad in foreign countries rather than in the countries where these goods are finally used.
Thus, industries do not have an incentive to produce locally.
This means that governments or municipalities have to subsidize local industries in order to make them competitive and to avoid the excessive use of transportation networks.
Through this financial incentive, industries would be more likely to produce locally and therefore the ozone depletion issue from transportation networks could be mitigated.
Renewable energies
The use and extension of renewable energies is a crucial step in order to meet the ozone depletion issue.
Apart from nuclear energy, fossil resources like coal are an important source for electricity generation.
However, the combustion of coal leads to the emission of CFCs, which in turn leads to a depletion of the ozone layer.
Therefore, a switch from fossil to renewable energies would mitigate the ozone depletion problem since we could avoid the emission of CFCs and thus protect the ozone layer.
Stop Deforestation
Stopping deforestation could indirectly help to mitigate the problem of ozone depletion.
Since deforestation contributes to global warming, it also indirectly affects the ozone layer.
Global warming increases water vapor, which in turn blocks ozone production.
Moreover, through the burning of would, substances harmful to the ozone layer may be produced.
Thus, avoiding deforestation could also contribute to a reduction in ozone layer depletion.
Recycle and reuse
We should also reuse our products as much as possible.
If we do not use them anymore, we should make sure that they can be recycled properly. In this way, we can decrease the demand for natural resources.
Therefore, we can also avoid the adverse effect of the extraction process of resources on the environment.
Through the reduction in energy demand, we can decrease the emission of harmful gases and thus lower the adverse effect on the ozone layer.
Avoid the excessive use of fertilizers
Since many fertilizers contain nitrogen and other harmful substances, excessive use of these fertilizers can harm the ozone layer.
Thus, we have to make sure that fertilizers are used in a responsible way.
This could be done through government regulations and also through education of farmers on the adverse effects of the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers on the ozone layer.
Avoid the use of pesticides
In some countries, methyl bromide is still used in pesticides.
However, methyl bromide is a serious contributor to the ozone layer depletion issue.
Thus, banning this substance would mitigate the ozone depletion problem.
Reduce CFCs
As we have seen in our previous analysis, CFCs are a major factor for ozone depletion.
CFCs are used in many industries and for the production of a huge variety of products.
This includes refrigerators, air conditioning and aerosol sprays.
Thus, if we are able to replace the CFCs through other substances, we would be able to greatly reduce CFC emission and therefore to protect the ozone layer.
Reduce nitrous oxides
Similar to CFCs, nitrous oxides are also produced in many industrial processes and in the manufacturing processes of several products.
Since nitrous oxides are known to affect the ozone layer in an adverse way, reducing the amount of nitrous oxides and replacing them with other substances would also mitigate the issue of ozone depletion.
Government regulations
Governments and other institutions have the responsibility to take measures against ozone layer depletion.
It is in our collective interest that we sustain the ozone layer.
Otherwise, we would suffer from dramatic health consequences.
Therefore, governments should ban substances like CFCs or nitrous oxides wherever they can be replaced by other substances that do not harm the ozone layer.
Moreover, it would make sense to increase tax rates for substances that are harmful to the ozone layer.
Through the increase in taxes, industries would have a financial incentive to substitute harmful substances like CFCs through other harmless substances which would in turn mitigate the ozone depletion issue.
Education
Education is another measure to fight ozone depletion.
This is either true on an individual level as well as for industrial purposes.
We should educate children from a young age about the serious adverse problems that come with ozone depletion.
Therefore, when children grow up, they may carry their knowledge into adulthood and take measures against ozone layer depletion in their daily lives.
This could mean that they are more likely to use public transport instead of cars.
Moreover, we also have to convince industries that they have a social responsibility.
Instead of just looking at profits and shareholder value, industries should also focus on reducing harmful substances and therefore saving the ozone layer.
Profit maximization and environmental goals seem to contradict on the first glance.
However, industries could increase their brand value by saving the environment since they could communicate their measures against ozone depletion to customers.
Customers may in turn be more willing to buy environmentally friendly products.
Thus, in this way, industries may be able to increase profits but also contribute to saving our environment.
Convince others
We can all make our contribution to a reduction of ozone depletion on a daily basis.
This may include small measures like the substitution of cars through public transport or other measures of transport.
It may also include buying local food instead of products that have been produced in foreign countries in order to avoid the adverse consequences of long transportation distances.
However, our contribution is not enough! We should also convince others.
This may include convincing your family and friends to change their daily life behavior.
By doing so, you can convince many people who in turn may further convince other people.
Thus, you can make a big impact in order to save the ozone layer.
Conclusion
Ozone layer depletion is a serious threat to humanity as well as to the whole environmental system.
The ozone layer protects us from harmful UVB radiation which can cause cancer and several other serious health conditions.
It can also adversely affect the growth of plants and thus also crop yields.
Although there are some natural causes for ozone depletion like sunspots or volcanic eruptions, the main part of the issue is made from human behavior.
Thus, in order to mitigate the ozone depletion issue, we have to make sure that both private persons as well as industries contribute their part.
This could be either done by regulations or also by increasing the financial pressure for substances that are harmful to the ozone layer.
By applying several measures, we will be able to sustain the ozone layer and therefore to ensure a livable future for the next generations.
Sources
https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/what-if/what-if-ozone-layer-disappeared.htm
http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/ozone-destruction
http://www.theozonehole.com/upperstratwind.htm
About the author
My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues.
As I went to university and got my Master’s degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics.
After finishing university, I traveled around the world. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet.
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