OZONE INFORMATION

IB HL Y1

What Is Ozone?

Golf and Krista

  • Ozone (O3), otherwise known as trioxygen, is a triatomic molecule consisting of three oxygen molecules
  • It is an allotrope of oxygen and it is much less stable that Os, the diatomic form of oxygen
  • Ozone is very important to the world as it forms the ozone layer that is capable of absorbing the dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the Sun
  • Without the ozone layer, life would be impossible
  • However, ozone is toxic and can irritate the eyes and the respiratory system if breathed in
  • Although the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere is helpful as a filter, ground-level ozone is an air pollutant with potential harmful effects
  • Present in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere
  • Produced when an electric spark or ultraviolet light is passed through air or oxygen, particularly prevalent after thunderstorms

What is Ozone and its Composition?

(IB Biology Y1, Boat and Linda)

Ozone is a molecule which is composed of three oxygen atoms making it a tri-atomic molecule (O3). This molecule is basically what composes the ozone layer which is present in our planet’s atmosphere, specifically within the lower regions of the stratosphere being the second layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. The ozone layer occupies the region from approximately 10 to 50 kilometers (32,000-164,000 feet) above the surface of the Earth. This layer is entirely responsible for absorbing 93-99% of the sun’s ultraviolet light which is directed towards our planet through a process known as the ozone-oxygen cycle. When an ozone molecule is struck by ultraviolet radiation, it results in the formation of an oxygen molecule (O2), a free oxygen atom, and also the conversion of the ultraviolet light into excess heat energy. The free oxygen atom will then almost instantaneously proceed to react with other oxygen molecules within the atmosphere and reform into an ozone molecule, thus preserving the integrity of the overall layer.

Sources:

  1. (2009). Ozone Layer. Retrieved August 25, 2009 from Wikipedia

Website:

  1. (2009). Ozone Layer. Retrieved August 25, 2009 from Wikipedia

Website:

  1. (2009). Ozone Layer. Retrieved August 25, 2009 from Wikipedia

Website:

  1. Sparling, B. (2001). The Ozone Layer. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Nasa Official: Walt Brooks

Website:

Why is the Ozone Layer important? By Jacky

-Filters the ultraviolet radiation that enters the earth

-Too much UV entering the earth will cause but not limited to

-Skin burns or cancers

-Eye diseases

-Phytoplankton and some small plants to die

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-Good Ozone 90%

-Bad Ozone 10% (Ground Level Ozone)

-Causes photochemical smog

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-UV C

Depleted all by the ozone

UV B

Depleted by the ozone but not fully

Where the ozone is weak, more reaches the earth

Causes skin cancer

UV A

Reaches the earth but no harm to living organisms

-Ozone thicker in spring, thinner in autumn

-Ozone more concentrated near equator, less in the poles

-Unbalancing melt waters from poles might cause polar shift which consequentially might cause other chain of disasters to occur

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Ozone Formation

Lisa and Plum

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere in two different ways:

Solar Formation:

-In the Earth’s stratosphere (one of the outer levels of the atmosphere), there are two types of oxygen molecules, oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3).

-In order for ozone to be formed, sunlight not exceeding 200 nanometers is required. The UV rays of the sun cause oxygen molecules to split, therefore allowing the oxygen atoms to interact and therefore forming ozone.

-This process is called ozone photosynthesis. The light from the sun is absorbed by the layers of ozone, so the Earth’s surface does not receive as much harmful UV rays.

-On the contrary, light can also cause ozone destruction, where the UV splits open an ozone molecule, and the atoms come back to forming oxygen. This process is called ozone photolysis.

Photochemical Formation:

-Automobiles (car) and industrial power plants (factories) release nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

-Once in the atmosphere, the nitrous oxide reacts with carbon dioxide.

-This leads to the formation of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.

-The nitrogen dioxide is then stuck by U.V. light from the sun at a wavelength below 440 nm (nano meter).

-The nitrogen dioxide is broken up into nitrous oxide and an oxygen atom. This atom the reacts with an oxygen molecule.

-This leads to formation of an ozone molecule. The nitrous oxide can then react with the ozone and deplete it by reversing the entire reaction, or it can react with a hydrocarbon.

-This photochemical reaction for ozone formation is in equilibrium (a state of physical balance). If the nitrous oxide is depleted (used up) and the reaction is forced to favor the formation of ozone.

Works Cited:

Uherek, Dr. Elmar (2004, April 10). Formation of Ozone. Retrieved August 26, 2009, from Environmental Science Published For Everyone Round the Earth Web site:

Mattina, Salvatore Ozone Formation. Retrieved August 26, 2009, from

What has caused damage to the ozone layer?

By Ahmarin and Aki

-CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

  • Contains chlorine which do not dissolve in rain
  • It is hard to remove CFCs from the lower atmosphere
  • Only exposure to strong UV radiation breaks them down
  • 1 chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules

-large fires can produce one stable form of chlorine that does reach the atmosphere

  • CFCs produce ~ 84% of the chlorine in the stratosphere
  • natural sources contribute16%

-Volcanic eruptions can effect ozone indirectly

  • Produce aerosols
  • Increase chlorine’s effectiveness on destroying the ozone

1. (2008, August 25th). Ozone Layer Depletion. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Ozone Science: The Facts Behind the Phaseout Web site:

2. (2002). NOVA: science in the news. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Earth's sunscreen - the ozone layer Web site:

OZONE DEPLETION CONSEQUENCES

Mac and Win

Summary:

There are two types of ozone layer: troposphere ozone and stratospheric ozone. Troposphere or ground-level ozone is a bad pollutant around us. The stratospheric is the good ozone layer above for 6-30 miles which protect life from the UV ray of the sun and it is the ozone layer that is currently being depleted by man-made activities.

Results:

A depleted ozone shield allows more UV radiation to reach the ground, leading to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health and environmental problems. Every time 1% of the ozone layer is depleted, 2 % more of UV radiation is allowed to reach the surface of the planet. At this rate, we may have very little time to brace ourselves for the upcoming problems that the UV radiation may cause.

-Higher UVB radiation reaching earth’s surface.

-Lesser ozone = lesser protection from sun’s radiation

-UVB causes skin cancer and cataract

-Affects plants developmental processes

  • Imbalance its metabolism
  • Plant diseases

-phytoplankton is an aquatic primary source, which lives near the euphotic zone of the ocean; therefore more exposure to the UVB radiation causing the reduction in their survival

-this causes the predator to have less food

-UVB radiation causes damage to early stage of fish, shrimp, crab, amphibians and other animals

-Change the composition of gas in the atmosphere

-The radiation accelerates the breakdown of he materials

-Global warming

-Efficiency and usefulness of various materials(eg. rubber) decrease

-Agriculture and Fishery catches may experience a decline

-The immunity of the population against many diseases lessens

-the life cycle of plants will be severely disrupted and thus it will negatively affect the foodchain

-the whole world’s climate will be affected(eg. wind patterns may change)

Why are there more ozone holes on the poles rather than on equator?

By Ted and Toey

  • Ozone is never stops producing and is always destroyed by chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere that involve the breaking of O2 into two O atoms that then react with more O2 to make O3.
  • The reaction absorbs UV radiation from the sun, protecting earth from sunlight.
  • Seasons change in areas located at higher attitudes on earth seasons because amount of sunlight varies due to the slanted axis of Earth.
  • Air mass in both poles becomes isolated from rest of the air in the atmosphere creating a polar vortex. This enhances the chemical reaction in the atmosphere since these chemical reactions are happening in one enclosed area. This creates more enhanced ozone holes compared to other atmospheric regions.
  • Polar stratosphere has unique clouds that react well with chlorines in the atmosphere, causing degradation in ozone layer located at poles.

Rubin, Ken (1997 Apr). Polar Ozone Hole. Retrieved August 24, 2009, from Reply to ASK-AN-EARTH-SCIENTIST Web site:

There are two major ozone holes in the world which is at the North and the South Pole. The smaller affected one of two is North Pole. The ozone hole located in the North Pole is predominantly caused by the Earth’s magnetic field redirecting the flow of electron to the North Pole. As for the stronger affected region which is the South Pole, positive ions are heading there. Most of the positive ions are pure hydrogen nuclei, which causes oxidation resulting in water vapor. Oxidation is the reaction caused from the loss of electron from the reaction with oxygen. As a result, the phenomenon blocks the ozone’s production path.

Ozone Guy, O.G. WikiAnswers. Retrieved August 26, 2009, from Why is an ozone hole formed only above Antarctica and not over developed countries that emit a lot of CFCs? Web site:

Is any thing we do to help the ozone?

By Pear

  • Inform others and yourself at all times of the cause and the problem of the Ozone.
  • If you don’t know, try searching and make yourself and others understand deeply
  • Stop making holes in the ozone layer to prevent the release of CFCs and ODS gas to the atmosphere.
  • Join practical initiatives to help protect the ozone layer.
  • Ozone-Friendly products are always a good help to ozone layer
  • Try to make sure your electronic devices are in good quality and old CFCs should be recycled.
  • Cars’ air-condition should be checked frequently or else they’ll release CFC to the atmosphere.
  • Help promote recycling programs
  • Instead of using Halon fire extinguishers, use alternatives equipment like carbon dioxide or foam.
  • Promote activities in schools so they know what the problems are and how should they fix it.
  • Try not to use aerosols and sprays that compose of chlorofluorocarbon or CFC.
  • Try not to buy material made up of CFC. Try to use dark chipboard cork instead.
  • Avoid buying electronic materials without CFC.
  • Knowing any product with bromomethane should be reported
  • Drive less- Use public transportation instead of your car.
  • Reduce heating and air-conditioning
  • Plan your errands efficiently so you could avoid extra driving and save time.
  • Skip the drive thru and don’t leave engine on when you run in a store.
  • Car’s proper maintenance can reduce pollution.
  • Most energy is produced by burning fossil fuels, so the more energy the more pollution.
  • Use less water because it takes less energy to pump water.
  • Find new use for old materials and reduce the demand for high-polluting factory.
  • Try not to use gas-powered lawn equipment because it’s low-pollution
  • Try to use hand tools as much as possible
  • Lighter fluid contains VOCs that contribute to ozone try using charcoal chimney instead
  • Try not to use on fumes with low-VOC paints
  • Computer monitors are energy hogs so help safe energy when you’re not there.
  • RECYCLE!
  • Encourage and support carpooling by offering rise-matching services.
  • Use technology like conference calls to avoid meeting
  • Reduce paper waste and hazardous ink and toner by using electronic documents
  • Enjoy the weather in a non-motorized way
  • Pick up someone if you’re going the same way
  • Instead of going the gym, use the old fashion way by running in your house
  • Refuel after 6pm to prevent vapors from cooking
  • Bring your lunch with you so you don’t have to drive to eat
  • SUPPORT OZAD day and SPREAD the words
  • Gasoline mowers create pollution that forms ozone

Citation:

steph275, How to Help Reduce Ozone Pollution. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from eHow Web site:

(1995). Here's how you can help.... Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Austin City Connection Web site:

Richard, Anderson (Feb 1 2007 ). Ways to Help Our Ozone and Our Planet. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Associated Content Web site:

(14/10/2008 ). Protection of the ozone layer. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from Environment Web site:

Paula, comohacer. Retrieved August 25, 2009, from How to protect the ozone layer Web site: