The stratospheric ozone, also known as the ozone layer, is formed and dissociated through various chemical reactions involving oxygen molecules and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Here’s a simplified explanation of the processes:
1. Formation of Ozone (O₃) in the Stratosphere:
– Ozone formation primarily occurs in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of Earth’s atmosphere.
– Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun (specifically UV-C and UV-B rays) with wavelengths shorter than 242 nanometers (nm) strikes oxygen molecules (O₂) in the stratosphere.
– The high-energy UV radiation breaks apart the oxygen molecules into individual oxygen atoms:
UV-C: O₂ → 2O
UV-B: O₂ → 2O
- These oxygen atoms (O) are highly reactive and can quickly combine with other oxygen molecules (O₂) to form ozone (O₃):
O + O₂ → O₃
2. Dissociation of Ozone (O₃) in the Stratosphere:
– Ozone molecules in the stratosphere can absorb UV radiation, particularly UV-B and UV-C, with wavelengths shorter than 320 nm.
– When ozone absorbs UV radiation, it undergoes photodissociation, breaking down into oxygen molecules and individual oxygen atoms:
O₃ + UV-C: O₂ + O
O₃ + UV-B: O₂ + O
- The released oxygen atoms (O) can then participate in further reactions, including ozone formation or reacting with other molecules in the stratosphere.
The balance between the formation and dissociation of ozone in the stratosphere is crucial because the ozone layer acts as a protective shield, absorbing a significant amount of harmful UV radiation, which is vital for protecting life on Earth. However, human-made chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), can disrupt this balance by catalyzing ozone depletion, leading to the formation of the ozone hole in certain regions, which is a major environmental concern.