Consider the following statements.1. Ozone layer prevents most harmfu...
- Ozone depletion refers to the phenomenon of reductions in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. The problem of ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in the stratosphere.
- The origins of these compounds are chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), used as cooling substances in air conditioners and refrigerators, or as aerosol propellants, and bromofluorocarbons (halons), used in fire extinguishers.
- As a result of depletion of the ozone layer, more ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes to Earth and causes damage to living organisms. UV radiation seems responsible for skin cancer in humans; it also lowers production of phytoplankton and thus affects other aquatic organisms. It can also influence the growth of terrestrial plants. A reduction of approximately 5 per cent in the ozone layer was detected from 1979 to 1990.
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Consider the following statements.1. Ozone layer prevents most harmfu...
Ozone layer depletion is a critical environmental issue that has been a global concern for several decades. The ozone layer is a region in the Earth's stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) molecules. It plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
1. Ozone layer prevents most harmful wavelengths of ultraviolet light from passing through the Earth’s atmosphere:
- This statement is correct. The ozone layer acts as a shield against harmful UV radiation, particularly UV-B and UV-C wavelengths. These wavelengths have damaging effects on human health, ecosystems, and the environment. The ozone molecules in the stratosphere absorb and scatter the majority of these harmful rays, preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface.
2. Montreal Protocol banned the use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) compounds:
- This statement is correct. The Montreal Protocol is an international environmental agreement that was signed in 1987. It aimed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs were widely used in refrigerants, aerosol propellants, foam-blowing agents, and other industrial processes. The protocol has been successful in significantly reducing the production and use of CFCs, leading to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer.
3. The problem of ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in the Troposphere:
- This statement is incorrect. While chlorine and bromine compounds are indeed responsible for ozone layer depletion, they primarily exist in the stratosphere, not the troposphere. The main source of these compounds is human-made chemicals, such as CFCs and halons. Once released into the atmosphere, these compounds can rise to the stratosphere, where they are broken down by UV radiation, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms then catalytically destroy ozone molecules, leading to ozone depletion.
In conclusion, statement 3 is incorrect, as the problem of ozone depletion is caused by high levels of chlorine and bromine compounds in the stratosphere, not the troposphere.
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