What is Ozone Layer?
The ozone layer is a portion of the upper atmosphere that lies between 15 and 35 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. It effectively filters out almost all sun radiation, including UV and other types of radiation that can harm or kill most living things. Peak ozone concentrations are seen at altitudes of 20-25km. Atmospheric transport activities in the middle and high latitudes contribute to the lower height of the peak-concentration zone in the high latitudes. It also occurs as the tropopause height decreases. The majority of the surviving ozone is found in the troposphere, which extends from the Earth’s surface to the stratosphere.
Interactions between some contaminants, bright sunshine and high temperatures frequently cause near-surface ozone. It’s one of the main ingredients of photochemical smog, a problem that affects many cities and suburbs around the world, especially in the summer.
Ozone Layer Definition
Ozone layer can be defined as a specific layer within the Earth’s stratosphere characterized by an elevated concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. This layer serves a crucial role in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Ozone Layer – Causes, Effects & Depletion
Ozone Layer: Oxygen is a member of the chalcogen group of the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal that quickly forms oxides with most elements and other compounds. After hydrogen and helium, oxygen is the most abundant element on Earth and the universe’s third most common element. Diatomic oxygen gas makes up 20.95 % of the Earth’s atmosphere nowadays.
Ozone is too reactive at sea level to last long in the atmosphere. At a height of around 20 kilometers, it is created from air oxygen in the presence of sunshine. The ozone layer shields the surface of the world from UV radiation. It’s a diamagnetic, unstable gas with a pungent odor that protects the Earth from dangerous ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Ozone is a potent oxidant with a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. However, ozone damages mucous and respiratory tissues in mammals, as well as plant tissues, due to its strong oxidizing potential. While this makes ozone a serious respiratory hazard and pollutant near the ground, a higher ozone layer concentration is advantageous because it prevents harmful UV rays from reaching the Earth’s surface.
Table of Content
- What is Ozone Layer?
- Properties of Ozone
- Uses of Ozone
- Ozone Layer Depletion
- Cause of Ozone Layer Depletion
- Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)