Question

Define these terms:

(ii) Ozone hole

Answer 1

Ozone layer:

• Ozone is a gas found in the stratospheric layer of the atmosphere at a height level of 20-50km from the surface.
• This is a poisonous gas but protects the living organism from the harmful radiation from the sun by absorbing them.

Ozone hole:

• The reduction in the amount of ozone causes the thinning of the ozone layer.
• The place where the thickness of the ozone is very less is called an ozone hole.
• Such a hole was observed over Antarctica.
• ODS (ozone-depleting substances) reacts with ozone to break it down into its components.
• The chances of these holes formation are more in the cold areas since more clouds provide more surface area for the reaction of the ozone and chemicals to occur here.