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What Are the Environmental Effects of the Ozone's Depletion?

The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation sent through space by the sun. Ozone depletion can strike at the Earth's ability to produce food and clean air. Depletion is caused by pollution from people through their everyday activities, such as driving. Ozone is one of the contributors to the greenhouse effect, which is blamed for a rising global temperature.

Terrestrial Plants
- A reduction in the number of terrestrial plants that grow is a possibility, according to the Center for International Earth Science Information Network. Simulations of a 25 percent ozone reduction showed decreases in the number of soybeans and rice cultivars. A depletion in ozone levels is also thought to alter the dominant plant species in the area, while increasing the number of diseases in species. Plant structure and pigmentation are other possible effects of the depletion.
Aquatic Ecosystems
- A hole in the ozone layer around Antarctica in a polar spring offers scientists an opportunity to test the aquatic ecosystem there. Studies are centered on phytoplankton, which are at the core of the food web in Antarctica. A hole in the ozone increases UV-B levels and causes decreased mobility among phytoplankton. According to CIESIN, species of fish and shrimp, which eat the phytoplankton, are at risk.
Biogeochemical Cycles
- Studies from the United Nations Environment Programme have shown that plant litter decomposition to CO2 slows because of ozone depletion, while the exposure to UV radiation increases degradation of CO2, ammonia and dissolved organic carbon. Sea-to-air emissions estimates become disparate, a UNEP study about marine carbon monoxide (CO) photoproduction revealed. CO is a trace gas that highly impacts chemical reactions in the atmosphere. A link exists between sea-to-air dimethylsufide (DMS) flux, DMS production and other changes in sulfate aerosol-related atmospheric radiation balance. This could affect the climate, though the exact causes are unknown.
Air Quality
- UV-B radiation is the main contributor to changing air quality. UV-A wavelengths have also been shown, though laboratory, field and theoretical studies, to affect air quality. The troposphere, a part of the ozone layer, cleans gases in the environment and, without it, the quality of air will be more susceptible to gaseous contamination, according to UNEP. The distribution of gases such as carbon monoxide and methane are expected to increase. The amount of trifluoroacetic acid in rain could also increase as a result of the ozone depletion, the UNEP predicts.

Nature