INTRODUCTION:​

“​Ozone (O​3​) is a triatomic oxygen molecule gas that occurs both in the Earth’s upper
atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be good or bad, depending on where it is found:
It is a bluish gas that is harmful to breathe. Therefore, it is bad at the ground level.”

The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the ​French​ physicists ​Charles
Fabry​ and ​Henri Buisson​. Its properties were explored in detail by the British
meteorologist ​G. M. B. Dobson​, who developed a simple ​spectrophotometer​,
the Dobson meter. This tool could be used to measure the ozone levels found in the
stratosphere from the ground. Between 1928 and 1958 Dobson established a worldwide
network of ozone monitoring stations. Most of these stations are still in use today. The
"​Dobson unit​", a convenient measure of the total amount of ozone in a column
overhead, is named in his honor.
The ​ozone layer​ is a layer of ​ozone​ high up in the ​Earth​'s atmosphere ​stratosphere​. In
the region between about 10 kilometers and about 50 kilometers above ground, the
atmosphere contains more ​ozone​ (O​3​). The exact amount of ozone that can be found
varies, the ​seasons​ influence it;
It is also different in different places on the Earth
● This layer can absorb between 93 and 99 percent of
the ​ultraviolet​ ​radiation​ from the s​un​.
● This radiation is dangerous to many living ​organisms​ on Earth.
In 1976 atmospheric research revealed that the ozone layer was being depleted by 
chemicals released by industry, mainly ​chlorofluorocarbons​ (CFCs). Concerns that 
increased UV radiation due to ​ozone depletion​ threatened life on Earth, including 
increased skin cancer in humans and other ecological problems​[4]​, led to bans on the 
chemicals, and the latest evidence is that ozone depletion has slowed or stopped. The 
United Nations General Assembly has designated September 16 as 
the ​InternationalInternational Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer​. ​ Day for the 
Preservation of the Ozone Layer​. 
Venus​ also has a thin ozone layer at an altitude of 100 kilometers from the planet's surface. 

COMPOSITION OF OZONE LAYER:

Ozone is a simple chemical compound that contains only oxygen atoms, and its effects depend
on where in the atmosphere it occurs. In the upper stratosphere, it forms a protective shield
against solar ultraviolet radiation, but near the ground, it's a pollutant that can cause
respiratory ailments in humans and animals. The creation and destruction of stratospheric
ozone depend primarily on natural processes, but near the ground, industrial processes are
mostly responsible for its creation.

Ozone, with the chemical formula O3, forms from ordinary oxygen in the upper stratosphere
with the energy from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Ozone also forms in the lower atmosphere from
natural and industrial processes.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
An ozone molecule consists of three oxygen atoms (O3), whereas the stable form of oxygen
that normally exists in the atmosphere consists of only two. When certain chemical processes
make an extra oxygen atom available, the highly reactive atom binds readily with an oxygen
molecule. Ozone is also highly reactive, and its oxidizing ability is second only to fluorine. It is
useful as a deodorizing and bleaching agent as well as for killing germs and purifying water. It is
a pale blue gas at room temperature, and its strong odor is reminiscent of a thunderstorm
because lightning strikes produce ozone.

Production of Stratospheric Ozone:

Ultraviolet light from the sun reacts with oxygen molecules in the upper atmosphere to form
the stratospheric ozone layer. When the energetic light strikes oxygen molecules, it breaks
them into two separate oxygen atoms, and each of the highly reactive atoms bind with another
oxygen molecule, resulting in the formation of two ozone molecules. These reactions occur
most frequently over the tropics, where the sunlight is most intense. They are important
because the ultraviolet radiation they absorb would otherwise reach the surface of the planet,
where it would make it difficult for life to exist.

PRODUCTION OF TROPOSPHERIC OZONE:

Because it is such a corrosive gas, ozone in the lower atmosphere is known as bad ozone, and a
number of chemical reactions produce it. One of them occurs inside automobile engines, where
oxygen and nitrogen gas combine to form nitric oxide. This gas reacts with oxygen to form
nitrogen dioxide. On sunny, hot days, nitrogen dioxide breaks down again to release an oxygen
atom, which in turn binds with an oxygen atom to form ozone. Emissions from factories and
energy stations that burn fossil fuels also generate ozone through a similar process. Ozone also
forms around high-voltage electrical equipment.
CONCLUSION:
There is no doubt that the problem of ozone depletion exists and deserves extensive research
and attention. With the release of each and every CFC, our ozone layer takes one small step
towards its destruction. The decision to ban completely CFCs sooner than later cannot be
decided by the United States or even the United Nations. The entire world must unite in order
to expel this problem forever.
The effects of ozone depletion are real and of great global significance. Lower ozone
levels cause an increase in UV-B radiation reaching the earth’s surface harming plant, animal,
and marine life. Humans are adversely affected as well as the risk of skin cancer and decreased
immunity level becomes more serious. It is only in the last few years that effects of previous
legislation banning the use of CFCs are becoming apparent. Speeding the process of reduction
of CFCs can only help the environment.
Still new problems arise that need to be addressed. Illegal trading of CFCs has become a
serious issue in the fight against ozone depletion. It is often easier for a company to buy or
smuggle illegal CFCs than it is to pay the increased costs due to heightened taxes.
It is important that we as individuals educate ourselves of the truths concerning the
depletion of ozone. If each human in this world would be willing to make a small sacrifice for
the greater good, the future of our ozone layer would undoubtedly would be secure.
 References:
● https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee102/node/1970
● University of Wisconsin: Ozone Formation and Destruction
● University Corporation for Atmospheric Research: Ozone in the Troposphere
● http://www.oocities.org/univ113/conc.htm