3. Ozone
Ozone is comprised of 3 oxygen
molecules, known as O3.
When we hear the term Oxygen, it is
usually referring to the Oxygen that we
breathe, known as O2.
O2 is a necessary component for life
(almost all life ) on Earth's surface. It is
the form of Oxygen that we breathe.
It is used in respiration in animals and
photosynthesis in plants.
4. Ozone, or O3, is in fact
toxic to living creatures,
but without it we would
be in a lot of danger.
Ozone is naturally found
in the upper level of our
atmosphere. i.e.
stratosphere
It absorbs many of the
harmful rays of the sun,
known as Ultraviolet
radiation (UV-A, UV-B
and UV-C) which can
cause cancer and cellular
damage.
5. Causes
Pollution is a major source of
depletion of the Ozone layer.
Many Man-made pollutants contain
compounds called
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
bromofluorocarbons.
These compounds can rise to the
upper level of our stratosphere
Where UV light breaks them into free
radicals of Chlorine (Cl) and Bromine
(Br).
Each of these radicals is then free to
react with O3 and catalyze a chain
reaction capable of breaking down
over 100,000 ozone molecules.
6. Health Effects
As the ozone layer diminishes, Australia's natural sun
block begins to fade.
This is a problem because Ultraviolet radiation mainly
affects our skin and eyes. Even though we can't feel it,
the higher the dose, the greater likelihood of damage.
The most serious effect of sunlight on the skin is the
generation of cancer.
Most skin cancers are found in people over 40 years
old.
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the
world.
With only 3% of the worlds population, they manage to
report for 6 % of all dangerous forms of skin cancer
diagnosed globally.
About 1200 people die each year in Australia as a
result of skin cancer.
7. Greenhouse gases
Gases that are part of the
greenhouse gas layer in
the atmosphere.
These gases form a
practically invisible
bubble around Earth that
reflect some forms of
waves.
The more common gases
include carbon dioxide,
methane, and nitrogen
oxides.
These gases in the
atmosphere create a
greenhouse effect on
Earth
8. They allow the
sun's ray to go
into Earth but
upon escaping
they are reflected
back to Earth
again.
It's like sitting in a
greenhouse
without any
windows or doors
throughout
summer,
eventually you get
hot.