Ozone layer
- how is ozone naturally formed
- how is ozone naturally formed in the stratosphere
- how is ozone naturally destroyed
- how is ozone naturally destroyed in the stratosphere
How is ozone formed in the atmosphere.
Ozone depletionHow the Ozone Layer Works
Most ecosystems rely on the ozone to protect them from harmful ultraviolet (UV)light. If you know much about the light spectrum, you'll remember that the varying wavelengths of light determine the color or kind of light.
Ultraviolet light falls outside of the range of light that's visible to the human eye, much like microwaves, X-ray and radio waves.
When it comes to UV light, what we don't know (or don't see) can hurt us. UV light from the sun's rays burns our skin and freckles our noses when we're outside on a sunny day.
What is ozone?
But skin blemishes are the least of our worries. Exposure to UV light can lead to skin cancer and cataracts, and can damage the body's immune system [source: EPA].
Thankfully, the ozone layer protects us from most of the sun's harmful UV rays.
Ninety percent of the atmospheric ozone is in the earth'sstratosphere -- the altitude starting at six to 11 miles (9.6 to 17.7 kilometers) above the earth and extending to about 30 miles (48.3 kilometers) above the earth [source: Fahey].
The stratosphere provides a natural setting conduci
- how ozone is naturally produced in the troposphere
- describe how ozone is formed naturally in the stratosphere