Ozone Hole

OZONE HOLE

by Antonio C. Antonio

August 28, 2014

The ozone layer or ozone shield refers to a region in the Earth’s stratosphere at an altitude of about 10 kilometers containing a high concentration of ozone.  [Ozone is a colorless unstable toxic gas characterized by a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing properties; formed from oxygen by electrical charges or ultraviolet light from the sun.  It differs from normal oxygen (O2) in having three atoms in its molecule (O3).]  The ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth from the sun.

The chemistry of the Antarctic polar vortex has created severe ozone depletion.  The nitric acid in polar stratospheric clouds reacts with chloroflourocarbons to form chlorine, which catalyses the photochemical destruction of ozone.  Chlorine concentrations build up during the polar winter, and the consequent ozone destruction is greatest when the sunlight returns in spring.  These clouds can only form at temperatures below about −80 °C (−112 °F).  Since there is greater air exchange between the Arctic and the mid-latitudes, ozone depletion at the North Pole is much less severe than at the South.  Accordingly, the seasonal reduction of ozone levels over the Arctic is usually characterized as an "ozone dent", whereas the more severe ozone depletion over the Antarctic is considered an "ozone hole".  This said, chemical ozone destruction in the 2011 Arctic polar vortex attained, for the first time, a level clearly identifiable as an Arctic "ozone hole".  (Wikipedia)

A discussion on polar vortex can is contained in previous articles entitled “The Greenhouse Effect” and “Polar Vortex” (Antonio, 2014; http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/).  This subsequent article on the ozone hole compliments thse particular articles on the greenhouse effect and polar vortex.

But how do we prevent ozone holes from forming?  The primary cause of ozone holes is the emission of chloroflourocarbons (CFC) into the stratosphere; therefore, reducing or banning the use of CFCs will be the solution.  Another solution is minimizing the anthropogenic carbon footprint.  “The mitigation of carbon footprints may be done through the introduction of non-gas emitting sources of energy and power such as solar, wind and hydro-related sources.  Reforestation is also a major mitigation strategy.” (Antonio, 2014)

The depletion of the ozone shield or layer results to global warming or climate change that is caused by what seemingly is an innocent and harmless ozone hole.

Just my little thoughts…

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