Scientists, lawmakers, environmentalists and regular citizens have all become increasingly interested in developing ways to decrease the damage to the Ozone layer by substances such as Nitrous oxide. In order to get a solid understanding of the importance of the Ozone layer it is vital to have a clear understanding of what it is exactly.  The Ozone layer is located above Earth in the area known as the Earth’s atmosphere and is responsible for blocking the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet light. The Earth does get some of the sun’s rays but the sun’s high frequency ultraviolet light can cause damage to plant, animal and human life and effect the climate so the Ozone layer serves a very important function by blocking the majority of these dangerous rays.  Read more about GHG Emissions Credit Trading

As industries, continue to grow so does the emission of dangerous and harmful substances to the Ozone layer. Studies have shown that Nitrous oxide occurs naturally in the atmosphere but that human’s activities have caused the levels to increase at an alarming rate. Nitrous oxide is also released from the natural breakdown of bacteria that harbors in soil and in the ocean. The Nitrous oxide from human activity is largely the results of various industrial processes that take place today and human Nitrous oxide production is by far the highest and deadliest when it comes to the Ozone layer. Nitrous oxide at first glance does not seem very harmful because it is very stable when it is released. Nitrous oxide poses no visible dangers until it begins its descent into the atmosphere. Nitrous oxide undergoes a breakdown process and the by-products are called nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides, which are what actually damage the Ozone layer, are what make Nitrous oxide so harmful.

The increasing amount of Nitrous oxide has had a negative impact on the Ozone layer thus far and if it continues to be released at such high rates, it will continue to damage the Ozone layer. Scientists at the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) have become tracking the activity of the Ozone layer and its relationship to Nitrous oxide. Other known substances can lead to damage to the Ozone layer, but Nitrous oxide is present in the largest amount. They keep up with the measurements of the relative thickness of the Ozone layer as well as how the presence of Nitrous oxide leads to the decrease of the thickness. The Ozone layer is not the same thickness throughout and scientists know that some parts are thinner and thicker than others are so it will be interesting to see how Nitrous oxide affects the various parts.

This research is similar to the research that was done to other agents similar to Nitrous oxide that were known to damage the Ozone layer. Many of these substances known as CFCs have already been banned. The production of Nitrous oxide is not strongly regulated or prohibited. Scientists hope to get a better understanding of the Nitrous oxide process in hopes to be able to predict certain changes and come up with ways to stop the damage to the Ozone.