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EFFECTS OF STRATOSPHERE OZONE DEPLETION ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Citation:
Worrest, R. AND D. Hader. EFFECTS OF STRATOSPHERE OZONE DEPLETION ON AQUATIC ORGANISMS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-89/347 (NTIS PB90216128).
Description:
As a result of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV-Bradiation (290-320 nm) leaching aquatic environments is likely to increase over the next few decades. vailable information suggests that UV-B radiation can have a variety of deleterious effects on marine and freshwater ecosystems. ost studies resulting in biological damage suggest that short-wavelength UV-B radiation below 300 nm is most effective. hus, any long-term decrease in the ozone layer causing an increase in this radiation is likely to have adverse effects for biological systems. hese effects can have a number of possible consequences for aquatic ecosystems. mong these effects are 1) reduction in biomass production, resulting in a reduced food supply to humans; 2) change in species composition and a reduction of biodiversity; 3) decreased nitrogen assimilation by prokaryotic microorganisms, possibly leading to a drastic nitrogen deficiency for higher plant ecosystems, such as rice paddies, and 4) reduced sink capacity for atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby augmenting the greenhouse effect.