Stratospheric Ozone Production
Stratospheric Ozone is formed naturally from atmospheric oxygen by a chemical reaction in the presence of ultraviolet rays of the Sun. The stratospheric ozone production involves 2 steps –
- First Step – ultraviolet radiation of the sun breaks one oxygen molecule (O2) into two oxygen atoms.
- Second Step – each of these highly reactive oxygen atoms combines with an oxygen molecule to produce an ozone molecule (O3).
These reactions occur continuously in the presence of solar UV radiation in the Stratosphere resulting in the largest ozone layer formation in the tropical Stratosphere. This Stratospheric ozone production is balanced by its destruction in chemical reactions with a wide variety of natural and chemical compounds produced by humans in the Stratosphere. In each of these reactions, an ozone molecule is destroyed and other chemical compounds are produced.
Stratospheric Ozone – Causes and Effects of Ozone Depletion
Stratospheric ozone is a naturally occurring gas in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) that filters the Sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Stratospheric ozone depletion allows more ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth’s surface harming the animals and plants. The ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, limiting its reach to the Earth’s surface, and also generating heat that helps regulate the atmosphere’s temperature structure. In this article, we will cover Stratospheric ozone production, depletion, ozone hole, the importance of Stratospheric ozone, and much more
Table of Content
- What is Stratospheric Ozone?
- Stratospheric Ozone Production
- Why is the Ozone Layer Important?
- What is the Ozone Hole?
- Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
- Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Causes
- What are the Effects of Stratospheric Ozone Depletion?
- Stratosphere Ozone Layer Protection
- Stratospheric Ozone vs Tropospheric Ozone