Ozone Layer Depletion: A Review

Abstract

There are many situations where human activities have significant effects on the environment. Ozone layer damage is one of them. The objective of this paper is to review the origin, causes, mechanisms and bioeffects of ozone layer depletion as well as the protective measures of this vanishing layer. The chlorofluorocarbon and the halons are potent ozone depletors. One of the main reasons for the widespread concern about depletion of the Ozone Layer is the anticipated increase in the amounts of ultraviolet radiation received at the surface of the earth and the effect of this on human health and on the environment. The prospects of Ozone recovery remain uncertain. In the absence of other changes, stratospheric Ozone abundances should rise in the future as the halogen loading falls in response to regulation. However, the future behaviour of Ozone will also be affected by the changing atmospheric abundances of methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, sulphate aerosol, and changing climate.

KEY WORDS: Ozone Layer Depletion, Bioeffects, Protection.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 67-71