Catastrophic ozone depletion

We all live on the earth under the rays of the warm sun, but are we all aware of the impact of these rays on the human body?

All life on Earth depends directly on the energy of the Sun. It is ultraviolet and infrared radiation that are the source of this priceless energy. However, ultraviolet exposure to living organisms often leads to the inevitable disruption of nucleic acid and protein structures, and, as a result, leads to cell death.

Nature itself has created a reliable protection - the ozone layer of the Earth, which serves as a barrier to harmful ultraviolet rays. In the air, at an altitude of 20-50 km contains a huge amount of ozone, which creates a kind of shield that protects the entire biosphere and humanity.

The human body is able to defend itself by synthesizing a dark pigment (melanin), which we call nothing but tanning. But in the spring, when the skin contains a small amount of melanin, a person can not stay for a long time in the sun: the skin can quickly turn red, and after several hours the body temperature may rise and a headache may appear.

Everyone has long known that scientists are observing the methodical destruction of the ozone layer. In the atmosphere, the ozone content has significantly decreased, moreover, a so-called "hole" has been discovered, which is located above Antarctica. Unfortunately, the area of this hole increases every year, and at the moment its area exceeds the size of Antarctica itself.

The destruction of the ozone layer does not pass unnoticed for humanity, for example, in countries that are in close proximity to the mainland, there is an increase in diseases. Basically, these are diseases associated with an increased UV background, such as cataracts, skin cancer, etc.

Scientists from the northern hemisphere also observe a decrease in the content of ozone in the atmosphere and report the occurrence of an ozone "hole" over Spitsbergen.

What threatens to destroy the ozone layer of the Earth? The consequences can be the most horrifying, first of all, it affects the harvesting, which is greatly reduced. Further mutations of plants and animals, as well as the growth of diseases, are observed. It's terrible to think that the ozone layer can disappear completely, because this inevitably can lead to the death of fauna and flora.

The main causes of the destruction of the ozone layer are hidden in human activities. In an effort to provide a comfortable existence, a person creates and uses various industrial technologies. All kinds of aerosol sprays, which contain freons (chlorofluoromethanes), are safe for humans, but they remain in the atmosphere for more than 70 years.

The matter is that substances accumulating in the atmosphere lead to the destruction of ozone. The activities of the chemical industry are highly conducive to the ingress of such substances into the air. First of all, the destruction of the ozone layer occurs under the influence of chlorine, one atom of which decomposes 100 thousand molecules of ozone.

The military activity also contributes to the destruction of our "shield". The engines of ballistic missiles, which are used by the military, throw into the atmosphere a huge amount of harmful nitrogen oxides. Each launch of one such rocket into space forms a huge "hole" in the ozone layer. After only a few hours, this "hole" is delayed.

Back in the 70s, over the distant and deserted island, the US military dispersed chemical substances in the stratosphere that contributed to the formation of a "hole" that dragged on only after many hours. The destruction of the ozone layer over the island led to the fact that a significant part of the land inhabitants of the island was simply destroyed. Animals, plants, microorganisms - all died. Only a few large turtles survived, which were saved thanks to the thick bone shell. However, these turtles were blinded, because the retina of the eyes was burned by ultraviolet.