Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water-Sofia reports registered exceedances of the threshold for informing the population of 180 μg/m³ for ozone on 01.07.2024 and 06.07.2024.
The measured values are in the "Kopito" and "EEA/Pavlovo" areas.
Ozone is a gas that is formed by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds under the influence of high temperatures and sunlight. The natural background values of ozone in the air are about 30 μg/m³, but they can reach much higher values.
Ozone, depending on its location in the atmosphere, can be both a blessing and a curse for nature, wildlife, and human health. Protecting the ozone layer and reducing bad ozone are essential to protect our planet and the health of future generations.
Elevated ground-level ozone levels threaten terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, affecting plant communities, insect interactions, and soil microbial communities.
Good ozone
What is good ozone?
Good ozone is found in the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere about 10-50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. This ozone layer, known as the ozone layer, plays a critical role in protecting life on Earth.
The depletion of the ozone layer leads to increased UV-B radiation, potentially causing diseases in domestic animals and potentially economic losses in aquaculture systems.
Benefits of good ozone
Protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation: The ozone layer absorbs harmful UV-B and UV-C rays from the sun, which can cause skin cancer and damage people's immune systems.
Ecosystem health: Protection from UV radiation is vital for marine ecosystems, especially phytoplankton, which is a major food source for many marine organisms.
Agriculture: Reducing UV radiation protects crops from damage, which can lead to lower yields.
Bad ozone
What is bad ozone?
Bad ozone is found in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere, and is a major component of smog. It is formed by chemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the influence of sunlight.
Bad ozone affects soils, biota and ecological processes, causing leaf damage and a decrease in the growth of mature trees in some places.
Increased solar UV-B radiation from ozone reduction can lead to reduced primary production, altered plant species composition, and altered secondary chemistry affecting herbivores, waste decomposition, and biogeochemical cycles.
Harm from bad ozone
Human health: Bad ozone is a powerful irritant of the respiratory system. Exposure to high levels of ozone can cause respiratory problems, asthma, and chronic lung disease.
Wildlife: Bad ozone can damage plant leaves, reducing their ability to photosynthesize. This negatively affects the food chain and biodiversity.
Chronic long-term exposure to ozone can contribute to forest reduction by disrupting photosynthesis, increasing respiration, and altering cellular metabolism.
Ozone in the troposphere causes more damage to vegetation than all other pollutants combined, leading to crop loss. Forest fires produce approximately 170 Tg of O3 per year, which is 3.5% of the world's total production of tropospheric O3.
Agriculture: Many wild species are at least as sensitive to ozone as crops, causing significant yield losses and affecting growth and resource distribution. High ozone levels can reduce yields of important crops such as wheat, soybeans and corn, which affects food security.
Materials and constructions: Bad ozone can accelerate the wear and tear of materials such as rubber and plastics, reducing their durability and increasing maintenance costs.
What can we do?
Reducing emissions: Reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds through cleaner technologies and behavioral changes can help reduce bad ozone.
Monitoring and regulations: Constant monitoring of air quality and strict regulations can help keep bad ozone levels within safe limits.
Education and awareness: Educational campaigns to inform the public about the differences between good and bad ozone and how to reduce harmful emissions can have a significant positive effect.
Forest fire prevention measures
Wildfires are a serious source of poor ozone pollution and can have devastating effects on the environment, wildlife, and human health. Forest fire prevention is essential to reduce these damages.
1.Forest management
Controlled combustion: The use of controlled burns to remove accumulated fuel mass (such as dead wood and dry leaves) can reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.
Undergrowth clearance: Regular clearing of undergrowth and dead vegetation in forests reduces the amount of fuel material.
Creating fire belts: Building fire belts or clearings around forests can limit the spread of fires.
2. Education and awareness
Public awareness campaigns: Organizing campaigns to inform the public about the risks of forest fires and how to prevent them.
Local Community Training: Providing training to local communities on safe fire-starting practices and how to respond when a fire occurs.
3. Proper management of campfires
Designated Fire Areas: Creation of specially designated campfire areas with appropriate safety measures.
Outdoor Fire Rules: Adopting and following strict rules for the use of outdoor fire, including a ban on fire in adverse weather conditions.
4. Infrastructure measures
Maintenance of roads and clearings: Regular maintenance of roads and clearings in forest areas provides quick access for fire departments when needed.
Water tanks and hydrants: Installation of water tanks and hydrants near forest areas to facilitate firefighting.
5. Use of technology
Early warning systems: Implementation of early warning and monitoring systems of forest areas through satellites and drones.
Automated fire extinguishing systems: Installation of automated fire extinguishing systems in risk areas.
6. Legislative and regulatory measures
Strict regulations: Enacting strict laws and regulations to prevent wildfires and imposing penalties on violators.
Risk Management Plans: Develop and implement forest fire risk management plans.
Forest fire prevention is a complex process that requires coordinated efforts at different levels, from local communities to national governments. The implementation of these measures can significantly reduce the risk of forest fires and related poor ozone pollution, contributing to a healthier and safer environment, through joint efforts.
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