Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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Define stratospheric ozone layer.
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Define stratospheric ozone layer.
The stratospheric ozone layer is the region of the lower stratosphere with the highest concentration of ozone gas, which absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Which atmospheric layers lie directly below and above the stratosphere?
The stratosphere lies between the troposphere below and the mesosphere above.
What is the chemical formula of ozone?
Ozone is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms, with the formula O₃.
In the second step of ozone formation, an oxygen atom (O) collides with an oxygen (O₂) to produce an ozone molecule (O₃).
In the second step of ozone formation, an oxygen atom (O) collides with an oxygen molecule (O₂) to produce an ozone molecule (O₃).
Where does the largest ozone production occur?
The largest ozone production occurs in the tropical stratosphere, because this area has the highest levels of insolation.
True or False?
Stratospheric ozone is a harmful air pollutant.
False.
Stratospheric ozone is "good" ozone that filters out UV radiation; it is tropospheric ozone that is a harmful air pollutant that damages plants and human health.
What keeps the concentration of stratospheric ozone relatively stable over time?
A continuous cycle of ozone formation and destruction creates a dynamic equilibrium, which keeps the ozone concentration relatively stable.
Define stratospheric ozone depletion.
Stratospheric ozone depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer that happens when ozone is destroyed faster than it is created because certain substances reach the stratosphere.
What are the main culprits of stratospheric ozone depletion?
The main culprits are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are synthetic compounds containing chlorine atoms.
How does UV radiation in the stratosphere affect CFCs and halons?
UV radiation breaks these compounds apart, releasing reactive chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) atoms that destroy ozone.
A single chlorine atom destroys many ozone molecules because the atom is in each cycle.
A single chlorine atom destroys many ozone molecules because the atom is regenerated in each cycle.
Apart from CFCs, which halogen-containing compounds deplete stratospheric ozone?
Halons, which are used in fire extinguishers and contain bromine, and methyl bromide, which is used as a soil fumigant, also deplete ozone.
Why does rapid ozone depletion occur over Antarctica in spring?
Chlorine trapped in the ice crystals of polar stratospheric clouds during the cold Antarctic winter is released and reactivated by returning sunlight in spring, forming the ozone hole.
True or False?
Chlorine from swimming pools and sea salt is a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion.
False.
Chlorine from pools, factories, sea salt, and volcanoes does not reach the stratosphere, so not all chlorine sources deplete the ozone layer.
Why do CFCs and halons remain in the atmosphere long enough to reach the stratosphere?
CFCs and halons are stable and do not dissolve in rain, so no natural processes remove them from the lower atmosphere.
True or False?
A thinner ozone layer lets more heat into the atmosphere, which causes global warming.
False.
A thinner ozone layer lets more ultraviolet (UV) radiation reach Earth's surface, not more heat. Ozone depletion is not the cause of global warming.
Name two effects of increased UV-B radiation on human health.
Increased UV-B exposure raises the risk of skin cancer (especially melanoma) and cataracts, and can also weaken the immune system, speed up skin aging, and cause sunburn.
Increased UV radiation can harm , the base of the marine food chain.
Increased UV radiation can harm phytoplankton, the base of the marine food chain.
How does increased UV exposure affect clothing and construction materials?
UV exposure makes fabrics, plastics, paints, and building materials brittle, faded, or weakened, reducing their durability and lifespan.
True or False?
Stratospheric ozone depletion only happens over Antarctica.
False.
Ozone depletion affects the entire stratosphere; the ozone hole is one area of very low ozone, found mainly over Antarctica in spring.
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