Ozone Depletion

Ozone is a form of oxygen, but unlike the oxygen we breathe that has two oxygen atoms it has three atoms.  The oxygen we breathe has only two atoms, and is the normal way it is found.  This extra atom makes ozone react differently with both matter and energy.  

When we get to small particles like atoms and molecules, and even smaller particles, things are different.  Small particles have a second set of rules.  Small particles move at discrete velocities meaning there are velocities they can go, but cannot have a velocity in between.  They take on added energy in certain allowable amounts, and only those amounts.  And their electrons can add energy, but only in allowable amounts.  This is the key to understanding how ozone does its job.

Light, and other waves like light collectively called electromagnetic waves are composed of discrete packets of energy called photons.  Each photon of a given frequency has a certain amount of energy associated with it.  When harmful ultraviolet waves enter the ozone layer the photons have just the right amount of energy to be absorbed.  This stops them high in the atmosphere.  Actually, a band of frequencies are absorbed, because it is so hot in the ozone layer that the incoming waves undergo a frequency change relative to the fast moving molecules.  This shift is called the Doppler shift.

Unfortunately, molecules do not keep extra energy.  So molecules of ozone do not keep extra energy indefinitely.  When the excess energy is released it does not necessarily head towards the Earth, for molecules get bounced around often in collisions, even if the same frequency is emitted.

The bottom layer of the atmosphere is called the troposphere.  Above that is the stratosphere.  The ozone layer is in the stratosphere, high above the Earth.  Actually, it is not the entire stratosphere, but a layer high above the altitude where the stratosphere begins.

Ozone depletion occurs when chemicals cause the ozone to break down and unite with other molecules.  This can be caused by many different such chemicals, including some man has control over.  The propellants in aerosol cans used years ago had chemicals harmful to ozone.  Jet exhaust is another source of chemicals of concern.  And volcanic eruptions can pour much harmful gas high in the atmosphere.

Some gases are heavy enough that it takes years for them to reach the ozone layer.  Others are injected or propelled into or close to the ozone layer.

The real problem is many compounds do not break down just one ozone molecules, but the resultant compounds that come out of that reaction break down other ozone molecules.  One molecule can destroy a thousand or more ozone molecules. 

Given time the ozone layer will fix itself.  Ozone is made by the ultraviolet rays in sunlight falling on oxygen, causing the oxygen to break down into two separated atoms.  These molecules combine with other oxygen to form ozone.  So, as long as the sun comes up and there is oxygen in the upper atmosphere ozone will form.

The ozone hole is an area around the South Pole where the ozone gets scarce every year.  It seems to have grown since first detected.  But, the polar region has six months of night, and it occurs when the sun is not significant in the area.

This is used to sound an alarm that the hole could indicate a decrease in ozone around the world.  This decrease worldwide seems to be occurring.

One thing that I realized was possible is the panic that ozone might become extinct.  It seemed to me the alarmists meant to convey this, or were conveying it inadvertently.  Well, ozone is not a living thing, so extinction is not a concern.  Even of every molecule of ozone were to disappear, more would form.  It is a chemical compound made of oxygen, so it can be restored no matter the extent of the damage.  Sunlight will start the restoration process.

We need ozone because if more ultraviolet waves reach the Earth skin cancer would increase, and sunscreen would not be enough to completely halt the increase.  Actually, there is a certain band of frequencies of ultraviolet that pose the real danger.  It happens ozone absorbs ultraviolet in this band.  Ultraviolet waves would impact both plants and animals.

The ultraviolet waves that are stopped also carry energy, which if absorbed by the ground would add to the energy of the lower atmosphere.  It is incorrect to blame global warming on ozone depletion, but it does contribute.  These are distinct problems, but not unrelated.  The photons strike the ground and cause molecules to shake.  They share the energy with each other, and with the atmosphere.  When the ground gives back energy it often is in the infrared part of the spectrum.  These are the rays that are captured by greenhouse gases, so the energy gets trapped in the Earth and lower atmosphere.

Any impact on the atmosphere, including any global warming, affects the weather.  And when man affects the weather bad things can happen.