The stratospheric ozone layer located in the earth's upper atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, breaking into an O2 molecule and a single oxygen atom. This protective layer has been depleted by man-made emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leading to efforts to phase out such harmful substances and halt further depletion.
Explanation:The stratospheric ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen that resides in the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere extending from about 10 to 50 kilometers above the earth's surface. This ozone layer is essential for life on Earth as it absorbs the harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun through a process called photodissociation. In this process, O3 absorbs UV light and breaks down into an O2 molecule and a singular oxygen atom: O3 (g) → O2 (g) + O(g).
In the 1980s, it became clear that human activities, specifically the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were depleting this critical ozone layer. This discovery sparked international action, leading to the phase-out of CFCs in industrial applications. As a result, there has been a halt in the loss of atmospheric ozone, and the well-known "ozone hole" over the Antarctic is gradually shrinking.
Ozone's role in absorbing UV radiation is pivotal as it prevents the potential cell damage that UV light can cause on Earth. Without the ozone layer, the harmful effects of UV radiation, such as increased cases of skin cancer and other health risks, would be more prevalent.
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Which of the following has been proposed as a potential strategy for mitigating the increase of co2 in the atmosphere ?
- add aerosol to the atmosphere
- inject into geologic formation
- add iron to the ocean to increase phytoplankton
-shoot it into space
- all of the above