Ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere that is located in the lower portion of stratosphere. it absorbs Sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to the life forms on earth. It is definitely very essential to all living things on Earth. This can be evidently justified by the following potential effects that might happen on Earth if ozone layer is depleted.
What will happen...?
Humans
The UV-B on Earth will increase and in effect, it would directly affect humans' health. people may have skin cancer and cataracts. Thus, increased UV-B may also result to the suppression of the human immune response system.
In addition, some research shows that a decreased ozone layer will increase rates of malaria and other infectious diseases.
Marine Ecosystems
"One study estimated that a 16 percent reduction in stratospheric qzone levels would produce a five percent loss of phytoplankton productivity, leading to a loss of approximately seven million tons of fish from the annual fisheries harvest."
Plants and Crops
"The life cycle of plants will change, disrupting the food chain."
Materials
"Synthetic polumers, naturally occuring biopolymers, as well as some other materials of commercial interest are adversely affected by solar UV radiation. Today's materials are somewhat protected from UV-B special additives. Therefore, any increase in solar UV-B levels will therefore accelerate their breakdown, limitng the length of tiome for which they are useful outdoors."
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