Siksha Sarovar

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1.5 Ozone Depletion & Acid Rain

Lesson 6 of 30 in the free Environmental Studies notes on Siksha Sarovar, written by Rohit Jangra.

Ozone Layer Depletion

  • The Shield: The Ozone layer (O3) sits in the Stratosphere (20-30km up). It absorbs 97-99% of the Sun's medium-frequency ultraviolet light (UV-B), which is harmful to life.
  • The Hole: In 1985, scientists discovered a massive "hole" (thinning) over Antarctica.

Mechanism of Destruction:

  1. CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) used in ACs and Fridges reach the stratosphere.
  2. UV rays break CFCs, releasing a Chlorine atom (Cl).
  3. The Cl atom acts as a catalyst: It breaks an Ozone molecule (O3) into Oxygen (O2) and ClO.
  4. A single Chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 Ozone molecules before being neutralized.

Impacts:

  • Humans: Skin Cancer (Melanoma), Cataracts, Weakened immune system.
  • Environment: Damages Phytoplankton (base of marine food web).

Acid Rain

precipitation with acidic components (pH < 5.6).

Causes:

  • Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): From burning coal in power plants, volcanic eruptions.
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOx): From vehicle exhaust.

Chemical Reaction:

  • SO2 + H2O → H2SO4 (Sulfuric Acid)
  • NOx + H2O → HNO3 (Nitric Acid)

Effects:

  • Aquatic: Lowers water pH, killing fish eggs and adult fish.
  • Soil: Leaches essential nutrients (Calcium, Magnesium), making trees weak.
  • Infrastructure: Corrodes limestone and marble buildings. Case Study: Taj Mahal turning yellow (Marble Cancer).