Ozone–oxygen cycle and Abaga Falls: Difference between pages
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[[Image:Ozone cycle.jpg|thumb|350px|Ozone-oxygen cycle in the [[ozone layer]].]] |
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'''Abaga Falls''' is a waterfall and ecosystem located approximately 15km southwest (Lat. 8: 9’ 8” N – Long. 124:13’ 6” E) of [[Iligan City]] on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. The height of Abaga Falls is approximately twice that of the more famous [[Maria Cristina Falls|Maria Christina falls]] also located within the proximity of Iligan City. Unlike Maria Christina falls however, which is fed by the Agus river, the water source for Abaga Falls is the product of several underground springs which flow into the top Abaga falls via several tributaries. |
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The '''ozone-oxygen cycle''' is the process by which [[ozone]] is continually regenerated in [[Earth]]'s [[stratosphere]], all the while converting [[ultraviolet radiation]] into [[heat energy]]. In 1930 [[Sydney Chapman (astronomer)|Sydney Chapman]] resolved the [[chemistry]] involved. |
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Unlike like the more popular Maria Cristina falls, human access to Abaga Falls is severely limited due to a current lack of regularly maintained roads as well as the fact that a moderate amount of walking is required to reach the base of the falls. Unfortunately, this level of isolation has not protected the ecosystem from damage due to deforestation and over-hunting. |
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== Flora and Fauna == |
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There are a number of interesting animals that inhabit the area in and around the Abaga Falls. The most notable include; the endangered [[Philippine Eagle|Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga Jefferyi)]] also commonly known as the “monkey-eating eagle, the [[Rufous Hornbill|Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax)]], the endangered [[Acerodon jubatus|Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus)]] which can only be found in the Philippines and the [[Cynocephalus volans|Philippine Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus volans)]]. Many of these animals are either near extinction or in danger of losing their habitats due to human activities. |
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== Conservation Efforts == |
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== How the ozone layer works == |
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Unfortunately, there is currently very little being done to help preserve the Abaga Falls area from both man-made and natural distress. |
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The Save Abaga Falls group is a grass-roots campaign that was recently founded by a former resident of Abaga Falls now living in the United States. This group is currently in the process of obtaining as much information as possible regarding the current environmental status of the Abaga Falls ecosystem. |
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The ozone molecules formed by the above reaction absorb ultraviolet radiation having wavelengths between 240 and 310 nm. The triatomic ozone molecule becomes diatomic molecular oxygen plus a free oxygen atom: |
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O<sub>3</sub> + (240nm < radiation < 310 nm) → O<sub>2 </sub>+ O |
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*[http://philippineeagle.org Philippine Eagle Foundation] |
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{{Philippines-geo-stub}} |
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The atomic oxygen produced immediately reacts with other oxygen molecules to reform ozone: |
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{{coord missing|Philippines}} |
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O<sub>2</sub> + O + M → O<sub>3</sub> + M |
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where "M" once again denotes the third body that carries off the excess energy of the reaction. In this way, |
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the chemical energy released when O and O<sub>2</sub> combine is converted into kinetic energy of molecular motion. The overall effect is to convert penetrating UV light into heat, without any net loss of ozone. This cycle keeps the ozone layer in a stable balance while protecting the lower atmosphere from UV radiation, which is harmful to most living beings. It is also one of two major sources of heat in the stratosphere (the other being the kinetic energy released when O<sub>2</sub> is photolyzed into O atoms). |
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==Removal== |
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If an oxygen atom and an ozone molecule meet, they recombine to form two oxygen molecules: |
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O<sub>3</sub> + O· → 2 O<sub>2</sub> |
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And if two oxygen atoms meet, they react to form one oxygen molecule: |
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2 O· → O<sub>2</sub> |
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The overall amount of ozone in the stratosphere is determined by a balance between |
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production by solar radiation, and removal. The removal rate is slow, since the concentration of O atoms is very low. |
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Certain [[free radical]]s, the most important being [[hydroxyl]] (OH), [[nitric oxide]] (NO), and atoms of [[chlorine]] (Cl) and [[bromine]] (Br), [[Catalysis|catalyze]] the recombination [[Chemical reaction|reaction]], leading to an ozone layer that is thinner than it would be if the catalysts were not present. |
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Most of the OH and NO are naturally present in the stratosphere, but human activity, especially emissions of chlorofluorocarbons ([[CFC]]s) and [[halon]]s, has greatly increased the Cl and Br concentrations, leading to [[ozone depletion]]. Each Cl or Br atom can catalyze tens of thousands of decomposition reactions before it is removed from the stratosphere. |
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*[http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/SEES/ozone/oz_class.htm Stratospheric Ozone: An Electronic Textbook] |
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[[Category:Ozone depletion]] |
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[[Category:Oxygen]] |
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[[pt:Ciclo ozônio-oxigênio]] |
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Revision as of 17:41, 11 October 2008
Abaga Falls is a waterfall and ecosystem located approximately 15km southwest (Lat. 8: 9’ 8” N – Long. 124:13’ 6” E) of Iligan City on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. The height of Abaga Falls is approximately twice that of the more famous Maria Christina falls also located within the proximity of Iligan City. Unlike Maria Christina falls however, which is fed by the Agus river, the water source for Abaga Falls is the product of several underground springs which flow into the top Abaga falls via several tributaries.
Unlike like the more popular Maria Cristina falls, human access to Abaga Falls is severely limited due to a current lack of regularly maintained roads as well as the fact that a moderate amount of walking is required to reach the base of the falls. Unfortunately, this level of isolation has not protected the ecosystem from damage due to deforestation and over-hunting.
Flora and Fauna
There are a number of interesting animals that inhabit the area in and around the Abaga Falls. The most notable include; the endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga Jefferyi) also commonly known as the “monkey-eating eagle, the Rufous Hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), the endangered Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) which can only be found in the Philippines and the Philippine Flying Lemur (Cynocephalus volans). Many of these animals are either near extinction or in danger of losing their habitats due to human activities.
Conservation Efforts
Unfortunately, there is currently very little being done to help preserve the Abaga Falls area from both man-made and natural distress.
The Save Abaga Falls group is a grass-roots campaign that was recently founded by a former resident of Abaga Falls now living in the United States. This group is currently in the process of obtaining as much information as possible regarding the current environmental status of the Abaga Falls ecosystem.
External links
 | This article about a location in the Philippines is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |