6.2 Stratospheric Ozone (IB ESS)

stratospheric ozone

good ozone, produces oxygen molecules to interact with UV radiation

Ozone

Created from oxygen rising up from the top of the troposphere and reacting with sunlight

tropospheric ozone

ground level ozone; is considered bad because it is closer to the earth making it more likely for someone to breathe it in. It is also more dangerous because it is made up of particulate matter.

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

chemical compounds used in aerosol cans that destroy atmospheric ozone

Effects of UV

Damages marine phytoplankton, damaging to human population, and can cause genetic mutations in DNA

UVA

Aging, longer more intense ray, penetrates the reticular dermis (Least dangerous/mostly harmless)

UVB

These rays cause burns and other health problems like cancer and cataracts.

UVC

the most powerful and dangerous form of UV radiation

ODS's (ozone depleting substances)

CFCs and HCFCs

Pollution management strategies

Changing human activity / Regulating or preventing the release of the pollutant / Working to clean up or restore damaged ecosystems (Eg. Recycling of old CFC coolants)

UNEP

United Nations Environment Program, creates and evaluated international agreements for the protection of stratospheric ozone.

Illegal market for ODSs

ODS substitutes are often more expensive than CFC, updating equipment is expensive, penalties in many countries for ODS smuggling is minimal

The Montreal Protocol

meeting in 1987 where a group of nations met in Canada and agreed to take steps to fight against Ozone Depletion-CFC's banned

The Ozone Hole

an area of the ozone layer (near the poles) that is seasonally depleted of ozone