Climate Change: Ozone Layer Damage

What is the ozone layer and how important is it?

The ozone layer is one of the areas of the Earth's atmosphere that stands out for its high concentration of ozone. It was discovered in 1913 by the French physicists Henri Buisson and Charles Fabry. In 1924, the British physicist Gordon M. B. Dobson created a measurement system to calculate the thickness of the ozone layer, in which one Dobson unit (DU) is equivalent to 0.01 millimeters of thickness under normal conditions of pressure and temperature. It is essential for maintaining a suitable environment for life on Earth, protecting us from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Its conservation and restoration are essential to ensure human health, biodiversity, food security, and the balance of the global climate system.

The formation of the ozone layer begins with the photolysis of molecular oxygen, which is the breakdown of oxygen (O2) molecules due to high-energy ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. When UV photons hit O2 molecules in the stratosphere, they break the bonds between oxygen atoms, creating two free oxygen (O) atoms. These free oxygen atoms are very reactive and can combine with other O2 molecules to form ozone molecules (O3). Once ozone (O3) molecules are created, they can interact with other components of the stratosphere. For example, ozone can absorb additional UV radiation and decay into an O2 molecule and a free oxygen atom. This process is essential for absorbing and scattering harmful UV radiation to protect the Earth. The ozone cycle is a set of chemical reactions involving the constant formation and degradation of ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

In conclusion, the conservation of the ozone layer remains vitally important for the protection of life on Earth. Through decades of global efforts, the Montreal Protocol has demonstrated that international cooperation can have a significant impact on the restoration of this essential protective layer. However, the task is far from complete, and it remains crucial to maintain and strengthen these efforts. The call to action and environmental awareness are fundamental to this process.