The depletion of the ozone layer leads, on the average, to an increase in ground-level ultraviolet radiation, because ozone is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation. The Sun emits radiation over a wide range of energies, with about 2% in the form of high-energy, ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Some of this UV radiation (UV-B) is especially effective in causing damage to living beings, for example, sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage to humans.

Yes, significant depletion of the Arctic ozone layer now occurs in some years in the late winter/spring period (January-April). However, the maximum depletion is generally less severe than that observed in the Antarctic and is more variable from year to year. A large and recurrent “ozone hole,” as found in the Antarctic stratosphere, does not occur in the Arctic.

Although it acts as a protective layer high above the earth, ground-level ozone can be harmful to breathe. Ozone is the prime ingredient of smog; it is not emitted directly into the air but rather is formed by gases called nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the presence of strong sunlight, these gases react with oxygen in the air to form ozone concentrations that can remain high over large regions. Certain urban areas tend to have high ozone levels.

Ground-level ozone can be harmful to people and the environment. Levels above the health-based standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are known to cause chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion, and may also worsen bronchitis, heart disease, emphysema, and asthma. Healthy people as well as those with respiratory problems experience breathing problems when exposed to ozone.

Ozone is a gas that is formed in the atmosphere when three atoms of oxygen are combined. Ozone gas is not directly emitted into the air. There are chemical compounds, called precursors, which are emitted from both natural sources and human activities that react together to form ozone. These reactions are driven by light energy from the sun. Ozone is both a good and bad thing.

Ozone pollution poses a significant health risk, especially for the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory difficulties. In addition, high levels of ozone can damage crops and forests.

Severe depletion of the Antarctic ozone layer was first observed in the early 1980s. Antarctic ozone depletion is seasonal, occurring primarily in late winter and spring (August-November). Peak depletion occurs in October when ozone is often completely destroyed over a range of altitudes, reducing overhead total ozone by as much as two-thirds at some locations. This severe depletion creates the “ozone hole” in ../images of Antarctic total ozone made from space.

The ozone layer has been depleted gradually since 1980 and now is about an average of 3% lower over the globe. The depletion, which exceeds the natural variations of the ozone layer, is very small near the equator and increases with latitude toward the poles. The large average depletion in polar regions is primarily a result of the late winter/spring ozone destruction that occurs there annually.

The ozone layer is a thin layer of gases that surrounds the earth. It acts as a sunscreen for the earth, blocking out most of the sun's UV radiation. Over the last few years, the ozone layer has become slightly thinner, allowing more damaging UV rays to reach the earth's surface than before.

Stratospheric ozone depletion, caused by increasing concentrations of human-produced chemicals, has increased since the 1980s. The springtime loss in Antarctica is the largest depletion. Currently, in nonpolar regions, the ozone layer has been depleted up to several percent compared with that of two decades ago. the figure below indicates, the magnitude of ozone depletion varies between the regions of the Earth.

Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. Observations of an antarctic ozone "hole" and atmospheric records indicating seasonal declines in global ozone levels provide strong evidence that global ozone depletion is occurring. Although natural phenomena can cause temporary ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from synthetic compounds are now accepted as the main cause of this depletion.

The radars produced about 10,000 watts, about the same as 15 microwave ovens. This power was spread out over an oval area about 6 X 20 kilometers (120 square kilometers or 30 square miles). The power measured on the ground was about one 50,000th the level of a radio station and about one ten millionth the level of a cell phone. In addition, SRTM only illuminated a given area for about 1/10 of a second. The microwaves were emitted in a very narrow beam, which never came close to the orbiter.

No, ozone depletion itself is not the principal cause of climate change. However, because ozone is a greenhouse gas, ozone changes and climate change are linked in important ways. Stratospheric ozone depletion and increases in global tropospheric ozone that have occurred in recent decades both contribute to climate change. These contributions to climate change are significant but small compared with the total contribution from all other greenhouse gases.

The human health and environmental concerns about ozone layer depletion are different from the risks we face from global warming. Nevertheless, the two phenomena are related in certain ways. Some pollutants contribute to both problems and both alter the global atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation to reach our planet?s surface.

Ultraviolet radiation is one form of radiant energy coming from the sun. The various forms of energy, or radiation, are classified according to wavelength, measured in nanometres (one nm is a millionth of a millimetre). The shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the radiation. In order of decreasing energy, the principal forms of radiation are gamma rays, X rays, UV (ultraviolet radiation), visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves.

Yes. If concentrations of ozone-destroying chemicals are reduced, the natural balance between ozone creation and destruction can be restored. However, this might require the complete elimination of CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, HCFCs, and methyl bromide.