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Chapter 3: Problem 8

Why is stratospheric ozone so important? Describe the effects created by increases in ultraviolet light reaching the surface.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Stratospheric ozone is important because it primarily absorbs the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface. An increase in ultraviolet light reaching the surface can result in harmful effects like skin cancer, eye damage, impaired plant growth, and disruptions to marine ecosystems.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Role of Stratospheric Ozone

Stratospheric ozone is a layer of ozone molecules located in the Earth's stratosphere. The primary function of the ozone layer is to absorb the majority of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. This layer effectively acts as the Earth's shield, preventing these rays from reaching the surface.
02

Describing the Effects of Increased Ultraviolet Light

An increased amount of ultraviolet light reaching the Earth's surface can have several harmful effects. This includes, but is not limited to, skin cancer and eye damage in humans, impaired plant growth, and disruptions in aquatic ecosystems especially affecting the phytoplankton. Some UV rays can even interfere with the reproductive cycle of certain marine life forms.
03

Role of Stratospheric Ozone in Shielding Earth

Understanding the disastrous effects of increased ultraviolet light reaching the earth's surface, it's rather clear why stratospheric ozone is crucial. Its role in absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, thereby preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface, has major implications on sustaining life on earth as we know it.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Summarize the ozone predicament, and describe trends and any treaties to protect the ozone layer.

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In view of the cell analogy by Lewis Thomas, characterize the various functions the atmosphere performs that protect the surface environment.
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