Ozone depletion

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Ozone Depletion

Ozone depletion (/oʊˈzoʊn dɪˈpliːʃən/) refers to the gradual thinning of the Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities.

Etymology

The term "ozone depletion" is derived from the English words "ozone", a type of oxygen molecule, and "depletion", meaning a significant reduction in quantity, supply, or content.

Causes

The primary cause of ozone depletion is the presence of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other related halogenated compounds in the atmosphere. These compounds are released by certain industrial processes and consumer products. When they reach the upper atmosphere, they are broken down by solar radiation and release chlorine atoms, which can catalyze the destruction of ozone.

Effects

The depletion of the ozone layer has several harmful effects. It allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface, which can cause skin cancer and cataracts in humans, harm to aquatic ecosystems, and damage to certain types of materials and crops.

Related Terms

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