However, ozone concentrations are not static, winds transport, ozone throughout the stratosphere. Although the photochemical process constantly produces ozone, it is also destroyed by chemical reactions involving such gases as nitrogen, hydrogen, and chlorine. In addition, the amounts of ozone change with seasons (Ehrlich 115). The end results, is that over centuries ozone in the stratosphere has maintained a dynamic equilibrium: the production and loss processes have balanced. Keeping a layer of ozone around the planet that protects all life from too much UV radiation. However, that delicate balance now may be threatened. How did scientist become concerned about the ozone layer?.
A number of events prompted scientific research into the possibility that the ozone layer might be in danger. The research on the stratospheric effects of shuttle launches altered others in the scientific community and in government agencies to view chlorine compounds as possible threats to the ozone layer (NAS). Damage to the ozone layer is largely caused by the release of certain volatile chemicals in the halogenated hydrocarbons groups into the air. These are compounds of carbon and hydrogen, which some or all the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by halogens, such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine. Aquatic life could be endangered by ozone depletion. Although some aquatic species such as anchovy larvae have developed a tolerance for increased UV radiation, greater ozone depletion might result in abnormal development of larvae or kill of larvae, which are used worldwide in animal feeds. There is some speculation that organism such as blue green algae that are unharmed by UV light could dominate aquatic system (Environment Canada). Other direct effects of increased UV radiation include damage to various polyvinyl or plastic materials used in construction. UV radiation discolored rigid vinyl home sliding, and it also may cause vinyl pipelines to become brittle, leading to more serious problems if say, natural gas pipes should leak or burst.