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Ozone and Safety of our Planet
Why is it in News?
- scientists recorded the smallest ozone hole since 1982 above Antarctica in September 2019
More on News
- Ozone (O3)
(1) Allotrope of Oxygen
(2) When chemical exists in more than one form due to arrangement or number of atoms, they are called as Allotropes
(3) Made up of 3 oxygen atoms and extremely reactive gas
(4) Naturally occurred in stratosphere
(5) Formed through reaction between solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation with molecular oxygen (O2)
- Ozone Hole
(1) Term for are where ozone layer is damaged
(2) Visible in stratosphere above Antarctica and Artic
(3) Damage happened due to ozone reaction with compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine
(4) All the coolants (used in refrigerators, air-conditioners) and aerosols in products like deodorants and aircraft fuel, release chloro-fluoro carbon (CFC) gases
(5) active forms of chlorine and bromine on the surfaces of cloud particles form in cold stratospheric layer => hole in polar regions
- Montreal Protocol 1987 – for reduction of substances which depletes ozone
- Why smaller hole now?
(1) Warmer Antarctica lowers stratosphere => minimize the formation of polar stratospheric clouds => reduce damage to ozone
(2) Strong weather systems => brought ozone rich air from higher latitudes