Environment & Ecology
Ozone depletion
Atmospheric phenomenon
Overview
Ozone depletion in the stratosphere consists of two related phenomena observed since the late 1970s: a lowered total amount of ozone in Earth's upper stratosphere, and a much larger springtime decrease in around Earth's polar regions. The latter phenomenon over the south pole is referred to as the ozone hole. There are also springtime polar tropospheric ozone depletion events in addition to these stratospheric events.
Source: Wikipedia — Ozone depletion (CC BY-SA)
Key concepts
How Ozone depletion connects to the ideas, people and events around it.
The stratosphere is the second-lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Pronounced, the name originates from Ancient Greek στρωτός (strōtós) 'layer, stratum' and -sphere.
The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone, also called trioxygen, is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3. It is a pale-blue gas with a distinctively pungent odour.
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. This is made possible by Earth being an ocean world, the only one in the Solar System sustaining liquid surface water.
Tropospheric ozone depletion events are phenomena that reduce the concentration of ozone in the Earth's lower atmosphere. Ozone (O3) is a trace gas which has been of concern because of its unique dual role in different layers of the atmosphere.
Halocarbon compounds are chemical compounds in which one or more carbon atoms are linked by covalent bonds with one or more halogen atoms resulting in the formation of organofluorine compounds, organochlorine compounds, organobromine compounds, organoiodine compounds, and organoastatine compounds.
Refrigerants are working fluids that carry heat from a cold environment to a warm environment while circulating between them. For example, the refrigerant in an air conditioner carries heat from a cool indoor environment to a hotter outdoor environment.
A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid.
Revise Ozone depletion
Flashcards and a quick quiz, built from this map.
Questions about Ozone depletion
What is Ozone depletion?
Ozone depletion in the stratosphere consists of two related phenomena observed since the late 1970s: a lowered total amount of ozone in Earth's upper stratosphere, and a much larger springtime decrease in around Earth's polar regions. The latter phenomenon over the south pole is referred to as the ozone hole.
What are the key concepts related to Ozone depletion?
The main concepts connected to Ozone depletion include Stratosphere, Ozone layer, Ozone, Earth, Tropospheric ozone depletion events, Halocarbon, Refrigerant, Solvent. Each is linked on the map above with its own summary.
Which exams cover Ozone depletion?
Ozone depletion is part of Environment & Ecology, which appears in the syllabus of UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC GD and 43 more exams.