Essay On Ozone Depletion

794 Words4 Pages
In the past three decades, more ultraviolet radiation has been entering the Earth’s atmosphere. This is due to the depletion of the ozone layer. The main cause of ozone depletion, is the use of Ozone Depleting Substances, such as Chlorofluorocarbon. Ultraviolet Radiation is affecting wildlife, particularly amphibians, in a negative way. Many different species of amphibians have gone extinct, due to the increases of ultraviolet radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere. Because amphibian eggs do not have a shell, and the amphibian skin is extremely thin, they are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation can cause them health problems, embryonic deformities, it can kill the eggs of the amphibians, and sometimes even death.1…show more content…
The chemicals are known as Ozone Depleting Substances. Ozone Depleting Substances are safe and environmentally friendly when they are in the lower atmosphere, however in the stratosphere, they are broken up by the intense ultraviolet radiation, which releases Chlorine and Bromine.2 Chlorine and Bromine cause a lot of damage to the ozone layer at an alarming rate. One solution that has been used to try and stop ozone depletion, is the illegalization of Ozone Depleting Substances, such as Chlorofluorocarbons, called the Montreal Protocol.3 The Montreal Protocol was originally only signed by 46 countries, but now is signed by nearly 200 countries. The idea behind the Montreal Protocol, was that if they replaced the ozone depleting substances, with more environmentally friendly substances, it could help repair the ozone layer. Once the ozone layer is repaired, not as much ultraviolet radiation will enter the Earth’s atmosphere. If there is a normal amount of ultraviolet radiation in the atmosphere, the amphibians will not be affected as
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