What is ozone ? how is it formed in the upper layers of the e atmosphere ? how does ozone affect our ecosystem ?

How ground level ozone is formed in the air UCAR/L.S. Gardiner In the A small amount of ozone does occur naturally at ground level. Plants and soil release some. Some migrates down from the stratosphere. But neither of these sources contributes enough ozone to be considered a threat to the health of humans or the environment. Most of the ozone that is found near the ground comes from vehicle exhaust and emissions from factories, power plants, and refineries. Since 1900, the amount of ozone near the Earth's surface has more than doubled due to more automobiles and industry. Unlike most other When ozone pollution reaches high levels, pollution alerts are issued urging people with respiratory problems to take extra precautions or to remain indoors. When it’s inhaled, ozone can damage lung tissues. Ozone is harmful to all types of cells. It can impair an athlete's performance, create more frequent attacks for individuals with asthma, cause eye irritation, chest pain, coughing, nausea, headaches and chest congestion. It can worsen heart disease, bronchitis, and emphysema. Ozone also damages materials like rubber, textile dyes, fibers, and certain paints. These materials can be weakened or degraded by exposure to ozone. Some elastic materials can become brittle and crack, while paints and fabric dyes may fade more quickly. What can we do to decrease the production of ozone in the Check out the This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Rese...

Ozone: • Ozone which is also called trioxygen, is an inorganic molecule. • It has a chemical formula- O 3. • It is a colorless gas. • Ozone acts as a greenhouse gas. Formation of ozone: • Ozone is maximally present in the stratosphere of the atmosphere. • In the atmosphere, the formation of ozone is a continuous process because UV rays have continuous action on the molecular oxygen. • In the presence of electrical discharges within the atmosphere, the UV rays break down molecular oxygen into nascent oxygen. • The nascent oxygen then combines with the molecular oxygen to form an ozone molecule. Reaction that follows this process: O 2 → O + O O 2 + O → O 3 (ozone) Importance of ozone: • Ozone layer is very essential for the survival of organisms on this earth. • Ozone layer absorbs maximum ultraviolet (UV) rays coming from the sun thus, protecting us from various skin diseases and cataracts caused due to UV rays. • UV rays also affect the process of photosynthesis very adversely, and the ozone layer protects the plants from this adverse effect.

Ultraviolet radiations split the oxygen molecules present in stratosphere into free oxygen atoms. These free oxygen atoms then combine with molecular oxygen to form ozone. O 2→ O + O O 2 + O → O 3 Ozone layer is a protective layer which protects the earth from harmful UV radiations. Any damage to the ozone layer would result in UV rays entering the earth's atmosphere. These UV rays can cause diseases such as skin cancer and cataract. They can also adversely affect the crops. The ozone layer is damaged as a result of chlorofluorocarbons. These are often used in refrigerators, air conditioners and fire extinguishers.

Ozone: • Ozone is a gas. • It is made up of three atoms of oxygen. • It is continuously created when UV rays interact with molecular oxygen. In the stratosphere, it is also broken down into molecular oxygen. • UV rays from the sun are absorbed by the ozone layer, which serves as protection. Explanation: • An ecosystem can be thought of as a functioning unit of nature in which living things interact both with one another and with their physical surroundings. • If the ozone layer gets depleted, harmful UV rays can cause cancer in humans. • Since DNA and proteins of living things absorb UV photons preferentially and their high energy causes these molecules chemical connections to be broken, UV rays are extremely harmful to living things. • Ozone can have a negative impact on delicate vegetation and ecosystems. • It can cause a loss of species diversity. • It can affect habitat quality and changes the nutrient and water cycle.