The deterioration of the ozone layer, caused by Cfcs, endangers the lives of humans'. Cfcs have a diminishing effect on the ozone layer. Furthermore, the deterioration of the ozone causes an increase of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can have a negative effect on human skin and eyes. The earth's atmosphere is a blanket of air that surrounds the planet. This atmospheric air is made up of many different gases, 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% of a dozen or more other gases like carbon dioxide, helium, and ozone.
This atmosphere extends many miles out from the earth's surface. However, this layer is not a uniform layer, from top to bottom. As one moves out from the planet's surface the atmosphere becomes progressively dense. This atmosphere can be divided into four major regions.
The first region is the troposphere which extends about 6.5 miles above the planet's surface. The troposphere contains the oxygen that we breathe and is where a majority of our weather takes place. Beyond the troposphere is the second region of the atmosphere, the stratosphere. The stratosphere extends from roughly 6.5-30 miles from the earth's' surface. The air on this region is much less dense than in the troposphere, and it's a lot drier. The stratosphere is the area that contains the majority of the ozone layer.
Past the stratosphere is the mesosphere which extends to 50 miles above the planet. The last region is the thermosphere. The thermosphere's outermost edge is roughly 600 miles above the surface of the earth. Beyond it, the airless vacuum of space begins.
Oxygen is made up of two oxygen atoms that are bonded together. In the periodic table it is represented by O2. Like oxygen, ozone is a gas that is made up of oxygen atoms. However, a molecule of ozone is made up of three atoms of oxygen bonded together, therefore, O3, represents ozone. The ozone makes up only .01% of the atmosphere. Furthermore, 90% of the ozone is found in the stratosphere.
