Chapter 3.2: Ozone Depletion



We've known for decades that the ozone layer in our stratosphere is being depleted by human-made compounds like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  Perhaps the most well-known impact of the thinning of the ozone layer is the increased penetration of UVB to the Earth's surface.  One estimate is that for each 2% of ozone depletion, an additional 1% of UVB reaches the surface. Two areas of concern have emerged: human health and ecosystem impacts.

Before you start this case study, visit the web sites listed here to review the chemistry of ozone depletion and physics of UV radiation.

 

Background Materials:

For general information about ozone depletion, visit one of the following sites:
http://www.theozonehole.com/fact.htm
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/29838/Fact-sheet-on-ozone-hole.pdf
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/HALOE-Ozone.html
http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/SH.html

For a concise review of UV radiation, visit http://www.who.int/uv/faq/whatisuv/en/index1.html

If you’re looking for information on marine food webs in the Antarctic, try these links:

http://polardiscovery.whoi.edu/antarctica/ecosystem.html
http://coolantarctica.com/Antarctica fact file/wildlife/whales/food-web.php

Textbook References and Links:

Exercise 2: Cabrerizo et al. study of marine algal response to UV radiation: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266259033_Current_and_predicted_global_change_impacts_of_UVR_temperature_and_nutrient_inputs_on_photosynthesis_and_respiration_of_key_marine_phytoplankton_groups

Exercise 3 and 4:  Zacher study of UVB impacts on seaweed spores:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098114001269

Exercise 5: 
Explore NASA’s OMPS web pagehttps://ozoneaq.gsfc.nasa.gov/
MAPSS: Multi-sensor Aerosol Products Sampling System web site at http://giovanni.gsfc.nasa.gov/mapss/. 

Exercise 6:  Hylander and Jephson’s investigation of organismal adaptation to UV radiation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098110001103

Downloadable data and files:

Exercise 2: Cabrerizo 2014.pdf

Exercises 3 and 4: Zacher 2014.pdf

Exercise 6: Hylander and Jephson 2010.pdf