The stratosphere accounts for approximately 24% of the earth's total atmosphere, it contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. 90% of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere's upper crust. This ozone layer is important for man's survival, and for the survival of life on earth, as it absorbs the UV radiation from the sun that would otherwise be deadly. Scientists have been warning people for many years about the damage we are doing to the ozone layer. Planting trees is one of the efforts that people have done to try to minimize damage and to help rebuild the damaged ozone layer. Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. This UV radiation is important for the production of vitamin D in humans, but too much can destroy tissue. The amount of water vapour in the stratosphere is very low, and because of this there are no clouds in the stratosphere. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. Planes that are low on fuel also fly at this altitude because they can cover more distance than in the troposphere while using less fuel and encountering less turbulence. Wake up! This is good stuff!! Oh, wait, we are talking about the air, way up in the air, air...As long as you can breath there's no need to worry right? Why is the Stratosphere so important to us that you should pay attention? What if the Ozone layer disappeared?? Within days of the ozone layers disappearance, many plants would die. The intensity of the sun's radiation would make photosynthesis — a process by which plants convert light energy into sugar to fuel their growth — an impossibility for all but the largest and slowest-growing green plants. And even massive trees, would eventually die, too. Without plants, the food chain would collapse. Herbivores would starve. Omnivores and carnivores could feed off their bodies for a time, but their food supply would dwindle and cause widespread extinction! Extinction? Yes! Termination of life! The Stratosphere which includes the Ozone layer is a natural sunscreen. The stratosphere protects us from harmful Ultraviolet radiation. In spite of the ozones super powers as a sunscreen, it isn't stable. There are chemicals which break down ozone and create a hole in the layer. NASA measurements have shown the ozone hole is approximately the same size that it was in 1988 and 1.3 million square miles smaller than it was last year. The reason behind the significant decrease in the ozone layer is unusually warm weather conditions in Antarctica's stratosphere, which helped push away ozone-depleting chemicals. However, the overall trend of a shrinking ozone hole is a result of the global effort to get rid of ozone attacking chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons, previously used in car air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers. I dare you to read and say out loud: "chlorofluorocarbons". While the ozone hole still remains large, NASA indicates it is much smaller than the ozone hole's peak in 2000 at 11.5 million square miles. What does this mean? More research! If we want to save the Ozone Layer, we need to understand the Ozone Layer. Stay alert, stay connected, and stay passionate about keeping our air as clean as possible.
10 Comments
|
Mrs. TaylorI love science! Everything about the world is interesting and never boring. I love to study plants, animals, insects, and people. My favorite subjects are my students who are the most unique organisms on the planet! Categories |