Definition of ozone layer
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Gabriel Duarte, in Nov. 2008
The ozone layer is that portion of the atmosphere located between 15 km and 40 km of altitude and containing a concentration high ozone. This was discovered at the beginning of the century, a situation that gave rise to the study of its properties.
Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms which can only exist in certain specific circumstances in which both the temperature as the pressure is right.
The ozone layer functions as a barrier to harmful radiation and at the same time allows ultraviolet light to pass through, thus protecting the development of life.
A problem that originated in the 20th century is the alteration of the layer in some regions, a situation that alarmed scientists. The problem of ozone depletion is known as the ozone hole, and it mainly affects the area that corresponds to Antarctica and then the area corresponding to the Arctic. The causes of this problem were unclear for a while but then the tests were accumulating to point out as responsible for the phenomenon when the chlorofluorocarbons and the fungicides.
For try control This negative process the different governments took a series of measures to eliminate CFCsThe United States, Canada, Sweden and Norway are the pioneers in these provisions. In 1985, the Vienna Convention was signed, in which 20 countries participated that were preparing to negotiate regulations for the chemicals accused of the problem. But, without a doubt, the most significant steps to protect the ozone layer are: the signing of the protocol Montreal in 1987, which agreed to reduce CFCs by 50 percent by 1999; a new agreement made in London that rectified the provision and established that the production of these for the year 2000; and finally, a final rectification carried out in Copenhagen in 1992 that brought the elimination forward to 1996.
Despite the measures taken to alleviate the evils, the truth is that a Recovery significant will take many years to materialize. The important thing is that the leaders of the world took conscience of the situation and set out to resolve it.
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