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The ozone layer serves as the method of blocking out harmful UV rays, specifically UVB rays that are thought to be responsible for skin cancers, cataracts, as well as harmful to some crops and marine life. Although ozone concentrations are known to vary naturally due to seasons, sunspots, and latitude, the 1970s marked the transition of natural ozone depletion to human made ozone depletion. Ozone depletion is caused by chlorine and bromine atoms coming in contact with ozone molecules. The introduction of chlorine and bromine through CFCs, HCFCs, and pools produced by humans has led to the depletion of the ozone layer. CFCs used to be found in refrigerators, foam insulation, pools, aerosol, hairspray, etc. The use of CFCs was banned in aerosols but continued to be used in most household appliances until 1987. Some CFCs are still being released into the atmosphere, but the Montreal protocol aims to phase out production of products that use ozone depleting substances. It originally came into effect in 1989.

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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NASA | Why is the Ozone Hole Getting Smaller?

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For more information: http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/2014-antarctic-ozone-hole-holds-steady/#.VFvnQMdi-RI The Antarctic ozone hole reached its annual peak size on Sept. 11, according to scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The size of this year's hole was 24.1 million square kilometers (9.3 million square miles) - an area roughly the size of North America.

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The effect of ozone depletion on ecosystems: 

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The effect of ozone depletion on ecosystems: 

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What does it do to terrestrial plants? UV radiation negatively affects leaf size, limiting the amount of area available for energy capture via photosynthesis. Plant stunting and withering are also typically seen in UV-irradiated plants, along with reduced nutrition content.  Forests also are vulnerable due to a decrease in immunity  in younger seedlings (older pine needles are able to increase the strength of their outer wax coating, while younger ones were more susceptible). Furthermore, UV-B radiation can indirectly change plant flowering and germination rates, nutrient distribution, and plant form. One of the most affected areas by ozone depletion include Antarctica, which in the 1980s, developed an ozone hole (an area of the stratosphere with really low amounts of ozone). Other areas include North America, Europe, Asia, much of Africa, Australia, and South America.

What do it do to marine ecosystems? Phytoplankton, the main producer in marine ecosystems, experiences reduced survival rates when exposed to UV-B radiation due to being limited in the euphotic zone (high exposure to sunlight). Additionally, UV-B radiation has negative effects on early developmental stages in fish, crabs, shrimp, amphibians and more marine animals. The most severe effects involve reduced reproductive capacity and impaired development.

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The Montreal Protocol requires new chemicals to be monitored, preventing CFCs to be used, and aims to establish a financial mechanism to allow less developed or impoverished countries to reduce their output of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances. On a local level, stores could remove air sprays containing CFCs and old buildings that contain insulation with CFCs can be torn down.

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Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion. (2016, December 28). Retrieved February 07, 2018, from https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/health-and-environmental-effects-ozone-layer-depletion

THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2018, from http://ozone.unep.org/en/treaties-and-decisions/montreal-protocol-substances-deplete-ozone-layer

Ozone Depletion: Land Vegetation. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2018, from http://www.ozone-hole.org.uk/15.php