What is stratospheric ozone?
Stratospheric ozone is a naturally-occurring gas that filters the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is typically regarded as ‘good’ ozone since it reduces the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation. A diminished ozone layer allows more radiation to reach the Earth’s surface.
What is stratospheric ozone and why is it important?
The stratospheric ozone layer is Earth’s “sunscreen” – protecting living things from too much ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The emission of ozone depleting substances has been damaging the ozone layer.
Where is the stratospheric ozone?
stratosphere
The Earth’s ozone layer. The ozone layer lies approximately 15-40 kilometers (10-25 miles) above the Earth’s surface, in the stratosphere.
What is the difference between stratospheric and tropospheric ozone?
Unlike stratospheric ozone, which forms naturally in the upper atmosphere and protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level (or tropospheric) ozone is created through the interactions of man-made (and natural) emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides in the presence of heat and …
How stratospheric ozone is formed?
Stratospheric ozone is formed naturally through the interaction of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with molecular oxygen (O2). The “ozone layer,” approximately 6 through 30 miles above the Earth’s surface, reduces the amount of harmful UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface.
Why is the thermosphere important?
These layers protect our planet by absorbing harmful radiation. Thermosphere 53–375 Miles – In the thermosphere, molecules of oxygen and nitrogen are bombarded by radiation and energetic particles from the Sun, causing the molecules to split into their component atoms and creating heat.
What is the importance of stratospheric ozone to human health?
Stratospheric ozone is considered good for humans and other life forms because it absorbs ultra- violet-B (UV-B) radiation from the Sun (see Figure Q3-1). If not absorbed, UV-B radiation would reach Earth’s surface in amounts that are harmful to a variety of life forms.
How is stratospheric ozone formed in the atmosphere?
How is ozone formed in the troposphere?
Tropospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light, with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by automobile tailpipes and smokestacks. To form, ozone needs sunshine to fuel the chemical reaction.
How is stratospheric ozone formed?
What are the reactions for stratospheric ozone formation and stratospheric ozone depletion?
The term ozone depletion means that the destruction of O3 exceeds the creation of O3. When present together in the stratosphere, chlorine (Cl) and ozone quickly react to produce chlorine oxide. Bromine can also act as a catalyst to destroy stratospheric ozone.
What does the ozone in the Stratosphere do for US?
Ozone forms a kind of layer in the stratosphere, where it is more concentrated than anywhere else. Ozone and oxygen molecules in the stratosphere absorb ultraviolet light from the Sun, providing a shield that prevents this radiation from passing to the Earth’s surface.
Why is ozone considered a pollutant in the troposphere?
The correct answer is troposphere. When the ozone is in the troposphere it is considered as a pollutant and dangerous. It actually injured lungs and the people and animals respirtation. It also causes damage to the lungs of the plants which is the leaves.
What does tropospheric ozone mean?
Tropospheric ozone is a greenhouse gas and initiates the chemical removal of methane and other hydrocarbons from the atmosphere. Thus, its concentration affects how long these compounds remain in the air.
What causes troposphere ozone?
Tropospheric Ozone Pollution. Ozone is formed in the troposphere when sunlight causes complex photochemical reactions involving oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOC) and carbon monoxide that originate chiefly from gasoline engines and burning of other fossil fuels.