2006-09-19 07:20:57 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The ozone layer surrounds the planet earth and acts as a filter against the suns more harmful rays The hole's are situated above both the north and south Pole's and depending on who you believe they are man made caused by burning fossil fuels car exhaust emission's etc.although there is no evidence to support this theory. However research in the last three years shows the hole's are slowly healing themselves so we cant be sure what caused the hole's or how they are healing themselves
2006-09-19 07:48:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jo_17 and wdmc give excellent answers.
Ozone is NOT an isotope of oxygen, but it has got the chemical formula O3 ie it's composed of 3 oxygen atoms.
Ozone depletion is also NOT related to the release of carbon dioxide or emissions from cars. As people have said it's due to the release of halocarbons, also known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in old fridges and refridgerations schemes.
The ozone hole appears above Antarctica because of unique winds that circle the continent, these hold the pollution in one place giving the CFCs time to attack the ozone. The extremely cold temperatures in the Antarctic winter are also crucial.
As folks have said the ozone layer blocks out harmful radiation from the sun. As the ozone hole can reach over Australia, people there need to be particularly careful at applying suncream etc due to the increased risk of skin cancer as the harmful rays are let through.
2006-09-20 04:37:32 · answer #2 · answered by oceanlass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere, it is a band of ozone, O3 which blocks/ filters harmful UV rays. Without the ozone layer there would be increased cases of cancer etc. The holes are caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) mechanism:
CFCl3 -> CFCl2 + Cl
Cl + O3 -> ClO + O2
ClO + O -> Cl + O2
Basically the chlorine (halogen) reduces the levels of ozone in the atmosphere, and is very persistent...and can remain in the atmosphere for decades, which is why the damage is still going on despite ways in trying to prevent further damage, such as the Montreal Protocol.
Other problems due to ozone depletion are damage to photosynthetic apparatus of plants, leading to reduced crop productivity, causes damage to eyes - increased radiation blindness and cataracts, damage to the human immune system...etc probably not a great answer lol
PS...Holes are not caused by burning fossil fuels...they're greenhouse gases and cause the greenhouse effect - a separate issue.
2006-09-19 07:57:36 · answer #3 · answered by jo88 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ozone layer is a layer of a special isotope of oxygen (O3 we breathe O2) gas that protects the Earth from excessive amounts of solar radiation. Certain chemicals from pollution break down the ozone layer and cause the holes. This means more radiation from the sun can reach the surface of the earth.
2006-09-19 07:54:24 · answer #4 · answered by OrianasMom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The ozone layer is simply a layer of ozone (O3) in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The hole in the ozone (Seen in this image http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc/earth/pictures/20020926ozonehole/ozonecomparem.jpg ) is strongest during the antarctic winter (august/september) due to the extreme cold that allows certain chemical reactions to occur.
The main chemical involved in the creation of this hole was chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), used widely prior to the 1980s for it's desirable chemical properties as a refrigerant. However when the ozone hole was discovered and linked to CFCs, international treaties (such as the Montreal Protocol (http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/TG/PI/POLICY/montpro.html) and national movements phased out its use. Currently, evidence suggests that the ozone hole is gradually healing.
2006-09-19 08:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by wdmc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ozone layer found at stratosphere (a layer of atmosphere) and it has no holes. Ozone Layer protect us from ultra violet rays.
2006-09-23 00:30:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cartier 95
you could have just said something that someone would actually understand and for the answer of the question the ozone layer is a layer around the world that protects it.
2006-09-20 04:27:11 · answer #7 · answered by :)☮♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cartier95
Could you not have simply pointed people at the source of all that info on ozone depletion.
Do you not realize that many people who post questions really just want a short, concise answer, and judging by the level of intelligence of many of them, they would have a very short attention span.
You should write some paras precis ing the material in your own words, as simply as possible. Then you just need to point people at further reading.
It beats me how you got to level 5 if all you have done is regurgitate material off wikipedia and suchlike.
2006-09-19 11:34:56 · answer #8 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's O3 (oxygen = O2). It has holes because of gases used in fridges and sprays. It protects against skin cancer, so the holes are killing people.
2006-09-19 11:23:59 · answer #9 · answered by · 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2014-08-22 15:46:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋