What are strategies for air pollution control and Ozone depletion?

Although ozone (O₃) depletion is unrelated to global warming but both of these environmental issues share a common cause: human activities that send chemicals into the atmosphere, causing it to change. When coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to create electricity or to power our cars, they release too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global warming.

When chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halogens, which were previously present in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants, are released into the atmosphere, ozone depletion occurs.

Ozone is a gas that exists in the upper atmosphere that absorbs UV radiation, which is hazardous to humans, animals, and plants. CFCs and halogens produce chemical processes that break down ozone molecules, limiting the ability of ozone to absorb UV energy.

The formation of Ozone

The sun generates electromagnetic radiation of various wavelengths, which translates to energy of varying intensities. The atmosphere protects Earth from harmful solar radiation by acting as a multi-layer barrier.

Ozone can be found in two places in our environment.

Ground-level ozone, also known as "bad" ozone, is a respiratory irritant and a component of smog. It is located in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and is unrelated to the "ozone hole."

The ozone layer in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing harmful UV rays from reaching the Earth's surface and killing living species. UV rays are invisible to the naked eye and cannot be felt, but they are extremely potent and alter the chemical structure of molecules. Because the amount of UV radiation is insufficient to create the extra heat trapped in the atmosphere, it plays a minor influence in global warming.

UV light accounts for a small portion of the sun's energy and is not well absorbed or scattered in the atmosphere, particularly when compared to other wavelengths such as infrared. However, ozone depletion is particularly concerning since it has a direct impact on human and other living organisms' health.

Ozone layer hole

'Ozone hole' is the disappearance of the protective ozone layer in the high atmosphere (stratosphere) over Earth's polar-regions. People, plants, and animals residing inside the ozone hole are being harmed by solar radiation that is currently reaching the Earth's surface, causing health problems ranging from eye damage to skin cancer.

On a constant basis, the sun's UV energy interacts with oxygen molecules to form stratospheric ozone (known as photochemical reactions). Although ozone is mostly created at tropical latitudes, it is transported to the poles via large-scale air circulation patterns in the lower stratosphere. In addition to global motion, strong winter polar vortices are important for concentrating ozone at the poles.The air inside the polar vortex gets extremely cold during the constantly dark Arctic winter, which is a crucial condition for polar stratospheric cloud production.

The circumstances for drastic ozone degradation are created by polar stratospheric clouds, which provide a surface for chlorine to convert into an ozone-depleting form. In the spring, they usually last until the sun rises. CFCs bind to ice particles in clouds in the poles. The ice particles melt when the sun shines again in the polar spring, releasing ozone-depleting molecules from the ice particle surfaces. These ozone-depleting molecules conduct their dirty work once released, breaking up the chemical bonds in UV-absorbing ozone.Top of Form

What can we do to keep the ozone layer safe?

1: Avoid inhaling gases that, due to their composition or manufacturing method, are detrimental to the ozone layer. Among the most dangerous gases include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halogenated hydrocarbons, methyl bromide, and nitrous oxide.

2: Automobiles should be used less. The finest means of transportation include biking, and walking. If you really must go by car, try to carpool with others to limit the number of automobiles on the road, thereby lowering pollution and saving money.

3: Avoid using cleaning items that are damaging to both the environment and ourselves. Many cleaning products contain solvents and caustic compounds, however these can be replaced with non-toxic alternatives such as vinegar or bicarbonate.

4: Purchase things made in your area. You not only receive fresh things this way, but you also avoid eating food that has travelled large distances. Because of the medium utilised to carry that product, the more nitrous oxide is produced as the distance travelled increases.

5. Keep air conditioners in good working order, as failures cause CFCs to escape into the atmosphere.

We, at Netsol Water believe in preserving our Environment and our protective Ozone layer. That is why we follow the goal of achieving sustainability for reviving our “Mother Nature”.

Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.