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Ozone Depletion

Definition

Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere due to the release of certain chemicals like CFCs and halons. This thinning allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface.

Related terms

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: A type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun that is invisible to human eyes but can cause damage to living organisms and materials.

Stratosphere: The second major layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere. It contains most of the ozone layer and extends approximately 10-50 kilometers above sea level.

Ozone Hole: A region with significantly depleted levels of ozone in a specific area, often observed over Antarctica during certain times of the year due to chemical reactions involving CFCs.

"Ozone Depletion" appears in:

Study guides (1)

AP Environmental Science - 9.2 Reducing Ozone Depletion

Practice Questions (6)

Which of the following best describes the relationship between ozone depletion and the Antarctic ozone hole?
How can individuals help mitigate ozone depletion?
What role do trees and vegetation play in mitigating ozone depletion?
How does reducing energy consumption contribute to ozone depletion mitigation?
What is the primary environmental impact of ozone depletion?
How does the phaseout of ODS support the mitigation of ozone depletion?

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