1. The ozone layer is present at the top of the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere which is present 48 km above the earth’s surface.
2. Ozone layer is protective layer for living organisms of the earth, as it absorbs harmful UV rays from the sun. When this layer is reduced or destroyed, it is called ozone layer depletion.
3. Causes of the ozone layer depletion:
1. The main cause of ozone depletion are CFC molecules.
2. Chlorine atoms are present in chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) molecules. They react with ozone and deplete it.
3. CFCs are used as coolants in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners manufactured before 1995.
4. CFCs are also present in industrial solvents, dry cleaning agents and hospital sterilants (sterilizers), aerosols and foam. All the above materials release a lot of CFCs into the atmosphere.
5. CFC molecules are broken down by ultraviolet radiations which result in release of chlorine and fluorine, which further reduce the ozone layer.
