Ozone Depletion and Acid Rain Impacts

Montreal Protocol

Treaty signed in 1987 to protect the environment by reducing ozone-depleting substances globally.

Vienna Convention

International treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by regulating ozone-depleting substances.

Montreal Protocol

Treaty signed in 1987 to protect the environment by reducing ozone-depleting substances globally.

Vienna Convention

International treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by regulating ozone-depleting substances.

Ozone Layer

Atmospheric region with high ozone concentrations that absorb harmful UV radiation.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Continuous balance between ozone destruction and reformation in the stratosphere.

Polar Vortex

Circulation pattern that traps cold air in polar regions, influencing ozone depletion.

Halogenated Organic Gases

Chemicals like CFCs that release halogen atoms, contributing to ozone destruction.

Dobson Units (DU)

Measure of total ozone in a vertical column of air, indicating ozone concentrations.

UV-B Radiation

Type of ultraviolet radiation that damages DNA, proteins, and living tissues.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemicals used in aerosols, refrigerants, and foam that deplete ozone when exposed to UV radiation.

Ozone Hole

Seasonal thinning of the ozone layer, particularly over Antarctica, due to chemical reactions.

Free Radicals

Highly reactive molecules that speed up the breakdown of ozone when exposed to sunlight.

Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone layer in the stratosphere formed by solar UV radiation interacting with oxygen molecules.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, affected by UV radiation.

Pollution Management

Strategies to reduce ozone-depleting substances, like recycling refrigerants and developing alternatives.

Greenfreeze Technology

Environmentally friendly refrigeration technology that does not harm the ozone layer.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic marine organisms crucial for aquatic food webs, negatively impacted by UV-B radiation.

Mutation

Genetic alteration caused by UV radiation, leading to health effects and reduced productivity.

Zooplankton

Small aquatic organisms that feed on phytoplankton and are affected by ozone depletion.

Ozone Destruction Cycle

Process where CFCs release chlorine atoms that repeatedly break down ozone molecules.

Equilibrium Disturbance

Disruption of the natural balance in ozone production caused by pollutants.

Ultraviolet Effects

Damage to living tissues, DNA, and immune systems due to increased UV radiation.

Gas-Blown Plastics

Plastics produced using gases that contribute to ozone depletion, requiring alternative materials.

Reactive Gases

Chemicals that release halogen atoms under UV radiation, accelerating ozone destruction.

Ozone Production

Natural formation of ozone in the stratosphere through oxygen molecules interacting with solar UV radiation.

Methyl bromide

A pesticide that can be replaced with other alternatives to reduce environmental impact.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons that need to be recovered, recycled, captured, and removed from equipment like car AC units to prevent ozone depletion.

ODS

Ozone-depleting substances that are being banned from production and use to protect the ozone layer.

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme playing a key role in creating international agreements for ozone protection.

Halogenated organic gases

Chemicals like CFCs that contribute to ozone depletion and are being phased out under international agreements.

Stratosphere

The layer of the Earth's atmosphere that contains the ozone layer and protects from UV radiation.

National legislation

Laws enacted by countries to comply with international agreements and reduce the production and consumption of harmful substances.

Black market in ODS

Illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances due to factors like cost, equipment lifetime, and lax penalties in some countries.

Positive feedback

A process where a change leads to further changes that amplify the original change, potentially accelerating ozone depletion.

Non-point source

Diffuse sources of pollution that are challenging to regulate and control, contributing to environmental issues like ozone depletion.

International Trade in Harmful Chemicals (ITIHC)

Initiative addressing the trade of harmful chemicals, including ozone-depleting substances, to prevent environmental damage.

Gas-blown plastics

Materials produced using gases as blowing agents, potentially contributing to environmental issues like ozone depletion.

Photodissociation

The process of breaking down molecules under the influence of sunlight, relevant to ozone depletion mechanisms.

Layered structure

The arrangement of different atmospheric layers, including the stratosphere where the ozone layer is located.

Policing and enforcement

Activities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and prevent illegal use of ozone-depleting substances.

Composition

The makeup or structure of a substance, relevant to understanding the impact of chemicals on the ozone layer.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

High-energy radiation from the sun that can cause damage to living organisms and is absorbed by the ozone layer.

Lapse rate

The rate at which temperature decreases with altitude in the atmosphere, influencing ozone layer dynamics.

Ozone

A molecule made up of three oxygen atoms that forms a protective layer in the Earth's atmosphere.

Freon

A brand name for CFCs, synthetic compounds used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants.

Chlorine

A chemical element that can contribute to ozone depletion when released into the atmosphere.

Cleanup and Restoration

Efforts to remove and repair environmental damage caused by the release of ozone-depleting substances.

Acid rain

Rainfall with a pH lower than 5.6, primarily caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions combining with moisture in the air

Primary pollutants

Gases directly emitted by factories or automobiles, e.g., SO2 (sulfur dioxide) and NOx (nitrogen oxides)

Secondary pollutants

Pollutants formed when primary pollutants react with other substances, e.g., H2SO3 (sulfurous acid), H2SO4 (sulfuric acid), HNO3 (nitric acid)

Wet deposition

Acidic rain, snow, or other precipitation resulting from acid rain

Dry deposition

Acidic gas or dry particles not mixed with water, a form of acid deposition

Direct effect

Immediate impact of acid deposition on organisms or environments, e.g., acid on aquatic organisms and coniferous forests

Indirect toxic effect

Toxic effects caused by increased solubility of metals like aluminum ions in fish due to acid deposition

Indirect nutrient effect

Effects like leaching of plant nutrients due to acid deposition, impacting ecosystems

Liming

Process of adding lime to repair acidified lakes and streams, balancing acidity and aiding aquatic life survival

Scrubbers

Devices installed on smokestacks to remove pollutants like SO2 from coal-fired power plants

Catalytic converters

Devices in automobiles that convert harmful gases like NOx into less harmful substances

UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollutants (LRTAP)

International agreement aimed at reducing air pollution across borders

Acidification

The process of becoming acid or converting into an acid, often referring to environmental acidification

Nutrient effect

Impact on nutrient levels due to acid deposition, affecting ecosystems

Regulate

To control or manage the release of pollutants, often through laws or regulations

Restore

To bring back to a former or normal state, such as restoring acidified lakes

Geological effect

Impact of geology, like rocks and soils, on water acidity and buffering against acid deposition

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels like coal, oil, and gas formed from the remains of living organisms

Hydrogen ion

Positively charged hydrogen atom, often involved in acid-base reactions

Indicator species

Species sensitive to environmental changes, used to monitor ecosystem health

pH

Measure of acidity or alkalinity in a solution, with 7 being neutral, below 7 acidic, and above 7 alkaline

Water cycle

Continuous process of water circulation on Earth, involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

Lime

Calcium-containing material used to balance acidity in water bodies affected by acid rain

Burnt tree

Tree damaged or killed by acid rain or its effects

Toxic effects

Harmful impacts on organisms or environments due to exposure to toxic substances

Public transport

Transport services available for use by the general public, aiming to reduce individual car usage

Acid precipitates

Solid particles formed from acidic substances in the atmosphere, often leading to environmental damage