What does ozone depletion mean in chemistry?

The ozone layer is a thin layer of gas that surrounds the earth. It absorbs the dangerous ultraviolet rays that reach the surface of the earth from the sun, making our planet habitable for life. Ozone depletion refers to the thinning, which increases the amount of harmful ultraviolet rays reaching the surface.

What does ozone depletion mean in physics?

The ozone layer absorbs about 90% of the earth’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The sun’s UV rays are responsible for the process known as photo-synthesis, which is responsible for the creation of oxygen and many other compounds in the earth’s biosphere. With this process, the sun produces two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. The two rays are responsible for different types of skin problems. While UVA rays are less harmful, UV

What does ozone depletion mean in earth science?

Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer that’s expected to eventually occur over the coming decades. On an annual basis, ozone levels have decreased by 10-15% since the 1980s. The primary cause of this thinning is man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and chlorinated hydrocarbons that were used in the production of aerosols and refrigerants. These chemicals, which have a long lifetime in the atmosphere, destroyed the

What does ozone depletion mean in biology?

One of the most obvious effects of ozone depletion is an increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation at the earth’s surface. Solar UV levels have increased by 25% since the 1980s, which has been shown to cause negative impacts on plant growth and reproduction, among other effects.

What does ozone depletion mean at the molecular level?

One of the main effects of the depletion of the ozone layer is that UVB radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere, which allows more UVB to reach the earth’s surface. This increase in UVB exposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression. In addition, UVB can directly damage DNA by generating chemical bonds within the nucleotide bases that make up the genetic code, potentially leading to the development of skin cancer and cataracts.