Question

If the ozone layer is damaged, how will Earth be affected?

Answer 1

Hint: The stratospheric ozone Layer acts as the ozone shield which protects the earth fire from the harmful effects of the strong UV radiation. The absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer increases more rapidly with its thickness.

Complete answer:
Ozone layer shields us from biocidal UV radiations. But ozone holes are formed by intense UV activity on chlorofluorocarbons.
Depletion of stratospheric ozone concentration shall result in an increased penetration of UV-B radiation. A higher loss of stratospheric ozone would cause entry of not only UV-B radiation but also UV-C radiations. This could turn the geological clock back to the era when the zone umbrella was very thin. Both the terrestrial life as well as aquatic life occurring in shallow water shall be drastically affected. The turning of the Ozone Layer results in an increase in the UV-B radiation reaching the Earth surface. A 5% loss of ozone results in a 10% increase in UV-B radiation. The increased UV-B radiation increases the chances of cataract and skin cancer in humans. This also diminishes the functioning of the immune system. Increased levels of UV-B affects photosynthesis and damages nucleic acids in living organisms. UV-B radiation leads to inhibition of photosynthesis in most phytoplankton as it penetrates through the clear open sea water. Thus the whole food chain of the organisms would be affected that depend on phytoplankton for their food.

Note: Ozone hole starts appearing at the end of winter shows the maximum display in spring and disappears in the summer. This is because the air in winter is heavy and the industrial gases like chlorofluorocarbons get concentrated over an area in Antarctica where the maximum damage of ozone layer has been noticed.