High above our heads, in the stratosphere, onat an altitude of 19-48 km the planet is surrounded by ozone. This is a kind of oxygen. If an oxygen molecule in air consists of two oxygen atoms joined together - O2, then a molecule that has three atoms is indicated by the formula of ozone - O3. It is created by sunlight. When the ultraviolet rays from the sun pass through the atmosphere, they destroy the usual diatomic oxygen molecules. Each released atom joins a neighboring O2. This forms the chemical formula of ozone - O3.
This gas was first discovered by French physicists Fabryand buisson. In 1913 they determined that the sun's rays with a wavelength of 200 to 300 nm are actively absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere. The term "ozone" in Greek means "fragrant", "fragrant." Everyone knows the characteristic smell of this gas that occurs after a thunderstorm. Oxygen is present in the atmosphere in three allotropic forms: O2 - molecular, O - atomic, and O3 - the formula of ozone, which is obtained by chemical combination of the first two.
The ozone layer is quite thin, almostimperceptible. If all the molecules of this gas, which occupy 29 km of space, combined into a single solid ball, its thickness would occupy only a third of a centimeter. Some ozone is in the air above the surface of the earth. When automobile exhaust gases or smog are released into the air, sunlight, reacting with the chemical elements of emissions, forms ozone. It is especially felt on a hot day, in smog-filled air, because it reaches a level that threatens health. The formula of ozone substance is physically unstable, and when its concentration in the air is more than 9%, the gas explodes, therefore its storage is possible only at low temperatures. When cooled to -111.90With the gas turns into a liquid.
A man cannot live in pure oxygen, heA small amount of ozone in the atmosphere is useful, but an excessive concentration of it can be deadly. It is not necessary to inhale it, because this form of oxygen can damage the lungs. Athletes who inhale large amounts of air saturated with ozone may complain of heaviness and pain when breathing. Trees and plants growing along the highway, where the air is saturated with exhaust gases, also suffer from excess ozone. Such a characteristic of this gas above the surface of the earth. Its natural content (one part of it for tens of millions of other parts of the air) is involved in oxidative processes that occur at the cellular level in the human body. In the ozone formula, only one oxygen atom acts as an oxidizing agent, and the remaining two are released as free oxygen.
When using fully purified air inindoors, researchers have noticed an increase in the number of diseases of people in them. The reason turned out to be simple - the absence of ozone in the purified air led to disorders in the body. Regular low doses of gas are also useful for the prevention of disease.
What is the effect of gas?Taking into account the results of the experiments, the scientists concluded that ozone leads to the destruction of almost all naturally occurring viruses, bacteria, protozoa, as well as mold and yeast fungus. In a few minutes a small portion (O3 formula of ozone) in a liter of air neutralizes all substances dangerous to humans. After all, ozonation is a natural process common to the body. Even in a room, ozone refreshes the air, practically removes the risk of infection by diseases that are carried by airborne droplets, neutralizes smoke, dust and allergens, heavy metal compounds and other air components harmful to humans. Decomposing into water, oxygen and carbon dioxide, these compounds lose their toxicity and remove unpleasant odors. Given the formula of ozone in chemistry, its high ability to oxidize is increasingly being used to disinfect air and drinking water.
Слой, находящийся на расстоянии 20 километров над the earth’s surface actually protects our health by absorbing ultraviolet rays. It acts as a filter, protecting the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Without a protective layer, life on the planet would be impossible. It has been proved that the plant and animal world appeared on the Earth only when a powerful shield was formed, protecting it from solar radiation. Ultraviolet helps the skin to get a beautiful tan, but at the same time, it is the main culprit of sunburn and the cause of skin cancer.
In the 70s, scientists studying the ozone layer overby the planet, they found out that chemicals used in refrigerators, air conditioners and aerosols can destroy ozone. Gases are released into the air every time these instruments are repaired or when various aerosols are sprayed. According to scientists, the harmful gases eventually reach the ozone molecules. At the same time, solar radiation releases chlorine from hydrochloric hydrocarbons, which destroys the structural formula of ozone, turning it into ordinary oxygen. Thus, the protective layer is destroyed. After another 15 years, British scientists made a startling discovery: a huge hole in the ozone layer was located above Antarctica. This hole appears every spring and reaches about the size of the United States. When the wind direction changes due to the change of seasons, the hole is again filled with ozone molecules. At the same time, a certain number of molecules fill the hole, while in other parts the gas layer becomes thinner.
Зимой 1992 года озоновый слой над Европой и Canada has become thinner by 20%. In those areas where this layer is not dense enough and is not able to filter out strong radiation, the number of skin cancer diseases is very noticeable. Over the Antarctic, scientists have recorded an extremely high level of chlorine monoxide, which is formed as a result of the destruction of ozone by chlorine. The researchers calculated that the loss of only 1% of the protective layer leads to an increase in UV radiation to Earth by 2%, and at the same time the number of skin cancer cases increases by 3-6%. Ultraviolet radiation also destroys the body's immunity, making the person more vulnerable to infections. Ultraviolet can damage the cells of all plants, from cereals to trees.
Since the ozone layer retains heat, with itsdecreasing the air at this latitude cools, changing the winds and weather in the world. It is difficult to predict what impact the depletion of the layer will have on the climate in the future, scientists predict the drying of natural areas, the loss of part of the vegetation and the insufficient amount of food if the problem of the destruction of this gas is not solved. Even with the cessation of human activity, which entails emissions of gases that destroy the protective layer, it would take him at least 100 years to return to the previous level.
