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Consider the following statements regarding the Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC):
1. PSCs are readily formed in the extreme cold winters of the Antarctic atmosphere.
2. Ozone is destroyed in Antarctica at the maximum rate during the winters due to the abundance of PSCs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding the Polar Stratospheric Cl...
Explanation:

Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC):
Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) are clouds that form in the stratosphere in polar regions during the extreme cold winters.

Statement 1:

PSCs are readily formed in the extreme cold winters of the Antarctic atmosphere.
This statement is correct. PSCs are most commonly observed in the Antarctic stratosphere during the extremely cold winters. The low temperatures in the polar regions create conditions suitable for the formation of these unique clouds.

Statement 2:

Ozone is destroyed in Antarctica at the maximum rate during the winters due to the abundance of PSCs.
This statement is incorrect. While PSCs play a crucial role in the chemical processes that lead to ozone depletion, it is not the abundance of PSCs themselves that directly cause ozone destruction. The presence of PSCs provides a surface for chemical reactions involving ozone-depleting substances, leading to the breakdown of ozone molecules. However, other factors such as the presence of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also contribute to ozone depletion in Antarctica.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 only.
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Community Answer
Consider the following statements regarding the Polar Stratospheric Cl...
  • Although ozone depletion is occurring widely in the stratosphere, the depletion is particularly marked over the Antarctic region. This has resulted in the formation of a large area of the thinned ozone layer, commonly called the ozone hole. It is only under certain meteorological conditions that ozone holes form. The conditions required to form the ozone hole are:
    • Cold temperatures during the polar winter
    • Ice cloud formation
    • Special meteorological conditions to form the polar vortex
    • Followed by the polar sunrise in the spring
  • The ozone hole occurs during the Antarctic spring, from September to early December, as strong westerly winds start to circulate around the continent and create an atmospheric container. Within this polar vortex, over 50% of the lower stratospheric ozone is destroyed during the Antarctic spring.
  • Reactions that take place on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) dramatically enhance ozone depletion. PSCs form more readily in the extreme cold of the Arctic and Antarctic stratosphere. Sunlight-less polar winters contribute to a decrease in temperature and the polar vortex traps and chills air. These low temperatures form cloud particles. These clouds provide surfaces for chemical reactions whose products will, in the spring lead to ozone Destruction. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The role of sunlight in ozone depletion is the reason why the Antarctic ozone depletion is greatest during spring. During winter, even though PSCs are at their most abundant, there is no light over the pole to drive chemical reactions. During the spring, however, the sun comes out, providing energy to drive photochemical reactions and melt the polar stratospheric clouds, releasing considerable ClO, which drives the whole mechanism. Warming temperatures near the end of spring break up the vortex around mid- December. As warm, ozone and NO2-rich air flows in from lower latitudes, the PSCs are destroyed, the enhanced ozone depletion process shuts down, and the ozone hole closes. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
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Consider the following statements regarding the Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSC):1. PSCs are readily formed in the extreme cold winters of the Antarctic atmosphere.2. Ozone is destroyed in Antarctica at the maximum rate during the winters due to the abundance of PSCs.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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