The document discusses the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from UV radiation. It absorbs 97-99% of harmful UV light from the sun. The largest recorded Antarctic ozone hole was as big as North America. Chlorine gases primarily cause ozone depletion there. Without protection, skin cancer and infectious diseases would increase and plankton may not survive, harming ecosystems. Actions to protect the ozone layer include phasing out ozone-depleting substances and banning their unnecessary release. The ozone layer is expected to return to pre-1980 levels by 2070.

1. The Ozone
Layer
BY: La Tisha Reed &
Cecilia Cervantes

2. What is the Ozone Layer??
 The ozone layer is a deep layer in the stratosphere (
which is the second major layer of earths atmosphere)
encircling the earth. That protects humans and other
organism from the UV radiation.
 This layer shields the entire earth from much of the
harmful ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun.
 It absorbs 97-99% of the suns high frequency ultraviolet
light, which is potentially damaging to the life form on
earth.

3. The Ozone Hole in Antarctica
 The Antarctic ozone hole was reported to be as big as
North American (the fifth largest ever reported)
 The ozone hole in Antarctica is most destructive during
the spring, from September to early December
 The primary cause of ozone depletion in the Antarctic
is the presence of chlorine-containing source gases

4.  It’s a special form of oxygen, made up 78% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen and about 1% trace gases.
 Usually forms
when some type of
radiation or electrical
discharge separates
two atoms in an
oxygen molecule which
can then individually
recombine with other
oxygen molecules to
Form an ozone.

5.  These images from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) show the progressive depletion of ozone over
Antarctica from 1979 to 1999.

6. Negative Affects Of The Ozone Layer
• When ever a small amount of the ozone layer is lost more
harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun can reach the Earth
 The increase of cancer victims caused by exposure to the
ultraviolet sun rays will rise. The EPA estimates that 60
million Americans born by the year 2075 will get skin cancer
because of the ozone depletion. About one million of these
people will die

7.  In addition to cancer, some research shows that a decreased
ozone layer will increase rates of malaria and other infectious
diseases
 Oceans will be hit hard as well.
The most basic microscopic organisms
such as plankton may not be able to
survive. If that happened, it would
mean that all of the other animals
that are above plankton in the food chain would also die
out. Other ecosystems such as forests and deserts will also be
harmed

8. Problems with the Ozone
layer
 Ozone itself is a type of oxygen but unlike the oxygen we need
to breath, it’s a poisonous gas.
 It is the main ingredient of todays city smog and irritates
conditions like asthma and
bronchitis diseases.

9. What is being done to protect
the ozone Layer??
 The ozone layer is now being constantly monitored.
 It is predicted that by 2070, the ozone layer will have returned
to pre-1980 levels.

10. What is being done about the
ozone layer depletion?
 Ending the production, import and use of ozone-depleting substances
(ODS), often ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule
 Ensuring that ODS are recycled properly, and prohibiting unnecessary
releases of ODS
 Identifying safe alternatives through the Significant New Alternatives Policy
(SNAP) program
 Banning the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants during the
service, maintenance, and disposal of air conditioners and other refrigeration
equipment
 Requiring that manufacturers label products containing or made with the
most harmful ODS

11. 
Sources
http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ozone/index_en.htm
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_depletion
 http://www.ozonedepletion.co.uk/what-ozone-layer-how-
does-affect-us.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_layer
 Http://www.theozonehole.com/cfc.htm