A Burning Issue
A Burning Issue
This chapter focuses on the ozone layer present in the lower stratosphere and its biological significance. The ozone is created and destroyed by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Various natural phenomena, such as volcanic eruptions and the emmission of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), also disturb the ozone layer, resulting in an ozone hole. A decline in stratosphere ozone levels increase terrestrial ultraviolet radiation. The chapter also explores ultraviolet radiation and its biological effects and its effects on agricultural yields, the eco-system, and amphibian species. Ultraviolet light promotes a synthesis of vitamin D, which has a beneficial effect on human health. The mechanisms of all the other effects, which are negative and lead to cortical cataracts, skin cancer, melanoma, and sunburn; DNA damage and photo-immunosuppression; are also described. DNA repair systems, photo-reactivation, and photolysis, the effectiveness of sunscreens, suntan, and solaria are also detailed.
Keywords: ultraviolet radiation, cortical cataracts, melanoma, sunburn, photo-immunosuppression, photo-reactivation, photolysis
Yale Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs , and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.