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4/12 Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Last updated 7 months ago
8 questions
1

Why is the stratospheric ozone important to the evolution of life?

1

What anthropogenic factors are causing the creation of the ozone hole?

1

What global treaty, created in 1987, created a decrease in CFCs that led to a smaller ozone hole every year since?

1

The decrease in stratospheric ozone increases the UV rays that reach Earth's surface causing what problem in humans?

1

A substitute for CFCs that will not deplete the ozone is

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

· Forms over the Antarctic, because of ice crystals in the atmosphere which promote Cl atoms robbing O atoms from Ozone.
· Worst in the Antarctic Spring (September) due to a build-up of ice during winter.
· Montreal Protocol (International Treaty) banned CFCs
· More UV hitting the Earth increases
o skin cancer
o eye cataracts (film over eyeballs)
o crop damage
o reduces the productivity of the ocean’s plankton.
1

Normal Ozone formation in the stratosphere:


o O2+ O --> O3
o then O3+ UV --> O2 + O
o then repeated.

1

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from refrigerators, aerosol cans, and air conditioners rise to the stratosphere.

The chlorine atom in CFCs robs an Oxygen atom from the ozone molecule.


o CCl3F + UV --> CCl2F + CL
o then Cl + O3 --> ClO + O2

1

  • You will create a comic book that depicts how ozone protects us from UV rays. Use the storylines provided as your framework.
  • Your characters: Captain Ozone, Dr. UV, and the CFC gang. Additional characters welcome.
  • Your comic should be in color
  • Your comic should contain at least 9 storyboards (scenes) with pictures and writing
  • Your story needs to be scientifically accurate (you need to accurately include what ozone does and how CFCs destroy it for full credit!)
  • Be creative! What weapons or skills could each hero have to fight the other? What might happen AFTER Ozone has been destroyed? Why is Ozone fighting hard to protect the Earth- what is he saving?