Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Flashcards covering the key concepts and vocabulary related to stratospheric ozone depletion and its effects on health and the environment.

Stratospheric Ozone Layer

A layer in the Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, man-made compounds that deplete the ozone layer.

UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation is a type of energy produced by the sun, harmful to living organisms.

Good Ozone

Stratospheric ozone, which protects life on Earth from harmful UV rays.

Bad Ozone

Tropospheric ozone, a secondary pollutant harmful to human health and the environment.

Ozone Hole

A region of severely reduced ozone concentrations over Antarctica, observed since the 1980s.

Malignant Melanoma

A serious type of skin cancer that occurs in pigmented areas of the skin.

UV-B Radiation

A type of ultraviolet light that can cause skin cancer and is less absorbed by the ozone layer.

Dobson Unit

A measurement for the thickness of the ozone layer, indicating its concentration.

Ozone Shield

The collective term for the ozone layer that protects living organisms from UV radiation.