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The Ozone Hole. Source: NASA, 2010. The Vertical Thermal Structure of the Atmosphere. OZONOSPHERE. Ozone forms naturally in stratosphere UV radiation (sun) --> mutations plankton reduced (food chain base), crops decline weaker immune systems, skin cancer
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The Vertical Thermal Structure of the Atmosphere OZONOSPHERE
Ozone forms naturally in stratosphere UV radiation (sun) --> mutations plankton reduced (food chain base), crops decline weaker immune systems, skin cancer Stratospheric ozone (O3) absorbs UV rays light O2 2 O then O + O2 O3 UV rays O3 O2 + O
The Importance of Stratospheric Ozone CFC’s link to ozone hole established in 1970s Chloroflourocarbons (refrigerants, aerosols) one Cl can decompose more than 100,000 O3 Cl2 + light ---> 2 Cl Cl + O3 ---> ClO + O2 ClO + O = Cl + O2
The Importance of Stratospheric Ozone What has been done? Montreal Protocol, 1987: U.N. agreement on ban up to 10 years for rising CFC gases to reach stratosphere; once in the stratosphere, CFC’s can last up to 50-100 years NASA’s Ozone Hole Site
Key Points Ozone Hole caused by CFCs Ozone protects life from UV rays CFCs destroy ozone in stratosphere UV radiation weakens plants and kills phytoplankton has little effect on temperature Montreal Protocol, 1987 outlawed production of CFCs