Ozone Hole | Environment for UPSC 2025 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
OZONE HOLE 
Page 2


 
 
OZONE HOLE 
WHAT IS OZONE? 
Ozone sits in the upper atmosphere and 
absorbs ultraviolet radiaton, another type of 
solar energy that's harmful to humans, 
animals and plants.  
CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that 
break down ozone molecules, reducing 
ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing 
capacity. 
Page 3


 
 
OZONE HOLE 
WHAT IS OZONE? 
Ozone sits in the upper atmosphere and 
absorbs ultraviolet radiaton, another type of 
solar energy that's harmful to humans, 
animals and plants.  
CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that 
break down ozone molecules, reducing 
ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing 
capacity. 
HOW OZONE WORKS? 
 
How ozone is distributed in the atmosphere. 
The sun emits electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, meaning 
energy at different intensities.  
The atmosphere acts like a multi-layer shield that protects Earth from 
dangerous solar radiation. 
 
Ozone is found in two different parts of our atmosphere.  
Ground level or “bad” ozone is a human health irritant and component of 
smog.  
It is found in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and has nothing to do 
with the "ozone hole.“ 
 
High level or “good” ozone occurs in the stratosphere and accounts for the 
vast majority of atmospheric ozone. 
The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing 
dangerous UV rays from hitting Earth's surface and harming living 
organisms. 
 UV rays cannot be seen or felt, but they are very powerful and change the 
chemical structure of molecules. 
 
 
Page 4


 
 
OZONE HOLE 
WHAT IS OZONE? 
Ozone sits in the upper atmosphere and 
absorbs ultraviolet radiaton, another type of 
solar energy that's harmful to humans, 
animals and plants.  
CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that 
break down ozone molecules, reducing 
ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing 
capacity. 
HOW OZONE WORKS? 
 
How ozone is distributed in the atmosphere. 
The sun emits electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, meaning 
energy at different intensities.  
The atmosphere acts like a multi-layer shield that protects Earth from 
dangerous solar radiation. 
 
Ozone is found in two different parts of our atmosphere.  
Ground level or “bad” ozone is a human health irritant and component of 
smog.  
It is found in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and has nothing to do 
with the "ozone hole.“ 
 
High level or “good” ozone occurs in the stratosphere and accounts for the 
vast majority of atmospheric ozone. 
The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing 
dangerous UV rays from hitting Earth's surface and harming living 
organisms. 
 UV rays cannot be seen or felt, but they are very powerful and change the 
chemical structure of molecules. 
 
 
Page 5


 
 
OZONE HOLE 
WHAT IS OZONE? 
Ozone sits in the upper atmosphere and 
absorbs ultraviolet radiaton, another type of 
solar energy that's harmful to humans, 
animals and plants.  
CFCs and halons cause chemical reactions that 
break down ozone molecules, reducing 
ozone's ultraviolet radiation-absorbing 
capacity. 
HOW OZONE WORKS? 
 
How ozone is distributed in the atmosphere. 
The sun emits electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths, meaning 
energy at different intensities.  
The atmosphere acts like a multi-layer shield that protects Earth from 
dangerous solar radiation. 
 
Ozone is found in two different parts of our atmosphere.  
Ground level or “bad” ozone is a human health irritant and component of 
smog.  
It is found in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) and has nothing to do 
with the "ozone hole.“ 
 
High level or “good” ozone occurs in the stratosphere and accounts for the 
vast majority of atmospheric ozone. 
The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation, preventing 
dangerous UV rays from hitting Earth's surface and harming living 
organisms. 
 UV rays cannot be seen or felt, but they are very powerful and change the 
chemical structure of molecules. 
 
 
 
UV radiation plays a small role in global warming 
because its quantity is not enough to cause the 
excess heat trapped in the atmosphere.  
 
UV radiation represents a small percentage of the 
energy from the sun, and is not highly absorbed 
or scattered in the atmosphere—especially 
when compared with other wavelengths, like 
infrared. 
 
 But, ozone depletion is also concerning because it 
directly impacts the health of humans, and 
other living organisms.