A Hole in the Ozone Layer

Term Paper # 99202

Environmental Studies > Air Pollution
Environmental Studies > Environmental Problems
Hot Topics > Global Warming

This paper discusses the depletion of the ozone layer and the actions taken to combat this problem.

960 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains the overall structure of the ozone layer and how chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs destroy the ozone molecules. The paper discusses how ozone depletion has spread from the Antarctic to various areas around the globe. The paper explores what the world is doing to combat this problem of ozone depletion.

From the Paper:

"To begin with, the ozone layer is a band of, well, "ozone" located in the upper atmosphere. More specifically, ozone itself is made up of three atoms of oxygen instead of the much more common two. This band of atypical oxygen molecules is found about 10-50 kilometers above the earth's surface - the numbers apparently vary depending upon the source consulted (Gleason para.2) - and shields the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation ("Ozone Layer" sec.1-4). The creation, the production, of this band of ozone is complex for those not well-acquainted with chemistry. Be that as it may, it can be said that ozone is mostly produced by ultraviolet light hitting oxygen molecules containing two oxygen atoms."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Dictionary by LaborLawTalk: Ozone Layer". Dictionary by LaborLawTalk. N.d. Labor Law Talk. 5 Aug. 2006 <http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/ozone_layer>
Gleason, Karen. "Science: Ozone Basics". Stratospheric Ozone. 3 Mar. 2006. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 5 Aug. 2006 <http://www.ozonelayer.noaa.gov/science/basics.htm>
Ontario Ministry of the Environment. "The 1985 Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer". Ontario: Ministry of the Environment. 30 Apr. 2004. Ministry of the Environment (Ont.). 5 Aug. 2006 <http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/Ozone/vienna.htm>
"Ozone Layer". Ozone Layer: Definitions and much more from Answers.com. Answers.com. 2006. Answers Corporation. 5 Aug. 2006 <http://www.answers.com/topic/ozone-layer>
Ozone Secretariat, United Nations. "About the Secretariat". United Nations Environment Programme. 2004. Ozone Secretariat. 5 Aug. 2006 <http://ozone.unep.org/About_the_Secretariat/index.asp>