Tag: global environmental change

Ozone depletion in the stratosphere has resulted in formation of a large area of thinned ozone layer, commonly called as the ozone hole. UV radiation of wavelengths shorter than UV-B, are almost completely absorbed by Earth's atmosphere, given that the ozone layer is intact. But, UV-B damages DNA and mutation may occur. It causes aging of skin, damage to skin cells and various types of skin cancers. In human eye, cornea absorbs UV-B radiation, and a high dose of UV-B causes inflammation of cornea, called as snow-blindness, cataract, etc. Such exposure may permanently damage the cornea. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Ozone layer is a region of concentration of ozone molecule. $O _3 (O _2+ O)$ in the earth's atmosphere. The layer lies in the stratosphere at an altitude of 18-50 kms. The ozone layer naturally Shields earth's life from the harmful effect of the Sun's ultraviolet radiations.

Ozone is an inorganic molecule. It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. In the environment ozone is known for its both harmful and useful effects.
Ozone present in stratosphere is useful as it act like shield and protect the earth from harmful UV-rays which can cause serious problems like skin cancer and decrease in level of photosynthesis. Ozone present in troposphere act as pollutant and have many deleterious effects. 

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.

Ozone depletion causes the harmful UV-B radiations to strike the earth surface. These radiations are capable of causing various health issues like malignant skin cancers, cataract, decreased immunity, decreased primary productivity, chlorophyll bleaching etc. 

The UV-C radiations breakdown the bonds in the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to release the chlorine monoxide and the nascent chlorine. These further react with the ozone to split it into ordinary oxygen molecules. The oxygen molecules are further broken down into nascent oxygen, which acts as the radicle. 

Polar spring, also known as the Antarctic Spring is the period from late August to early October and the strong westerlies circulate around the Antarctic continent creating a polar vortex. The polar vortex results in the formation of the polar stratospheric clouds which trap most of the gases including the ozone-depleting factors like CFCs, methyl bromide etc. 

In the stratosphere of the atmosphere, the UV rays are concentrated and these react with the oxygen to produce the ozone. This ozone persists in the form of the ozone layer and acts as the absorbent for the UV rays. Ozone layer does not allow the UV-B and UV-C from hitting the earth's surface, thereby preventing the various harmful after effects. Sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane are the primary pollutants of air.

The ever increase in the use of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs, HFCs, methyl bromide etc. will continue destroying the ozone layer in the stratosphere. The depletion of the ozone layer will result in the penetration of more UV-A and UV-B radiations to the earth surface. These radiations are strong mutagens as they distort the structure of the skin cell DNA when the skin is exposed to the UV rays. It results in skin related disorders like pigmentation, skin cancer etc.