11/18/21, 11:23 AM 6.3.3.

Stratosphere and Ozone Depletion: GEC 007-CE41S2 - Science, Technology and Society

6.3.3. Stratosphere and Ozone Depletion

Introduction
Hello!

The ozone layer is important to us humans since it serves as protection from the harmful ultraviolet rays. However, due to changes in
the climate, it is now becoming thinner that causes a lot of effects on us. To know more about its effects, let us explore more in this
section. 

Let me start first with the intended learning outcomes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the discussion, you are expected to

1. define concepts related to climate change and

2. discuss ozone depletion.

Discussion
In your high school and elementary days, you were constantly reminded about the layers that protect the Earth from rays of the sun and
other external objects. You must also take note that the depletion of the Earth's protective layers - such as the Stratosphere is also
affected by Climate Change.

Ozone is both beneficial and harmful to us. Near the ground, ozone-forming as a result of chemical reactions involving traffic pollution
and sunlight may cause a number of respiratory problems, particularly for young children. However, high up in the atmosphere in a
region known as the stratosphere, ozone filters out incoming radiation from the Sun in the cell-damaging ultraviolet (UV) part of the
spectrum. Without this ozone layer, life on earth would not have evolved in the way it has.

The stratosphere is the second major layer of the atmosphere and lies above the troposphere, the lowest layer. It occupies the region of
the atmosphere from about 12 to 50 km above the Earth's surface, although its lower boundary tends to be higher nearer the equator
and lower nearer the poles.

Concentrations of ozone in the stratosphere fluctuate naturally in response to variations in weather conditions and amounts of energy
being released from the Sun, and to major volcanic eruptions.

Ozone depletion results in harmful effects on human health, plants, marine ecosystems, and biochemical cycles among others.

To learn more about the effects of ozone depletion, watch the video below.

Link (https://youtu.be/aU6pxSNDPhs)

(https://youtu.be/aU6pxSNDPhs)

Summary
Ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds
containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions,

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11/18/21, 11:23 AM 6.3.3. Stratosphere and Ozone Depletion: GEC 007-CE41S2 - Science, Technology and Society

especially over Antarctica. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV)
radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.

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Sources
Nieva, A. and Quinto E. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society.  C and E Publishing House, Quezon City

Wuebbles, D. 2020. Ozone Depletion. Britannica

National Geographic Official Youtu8be Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU6pxSNDPhs

https://earthhow.com/stratosphere/

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