1. What is the ozone layer and where is it located?

o The ozone layer is an area which is a part of the Earth’s

stratosphere, an area that is located 10 to 50 kilometers
above Earth.
o The ozone layer absorbs most of the ultra violet rays from
the sun.
o The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing the
radiation from the sun.
o Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule which contains three
atoms of oxygen.
o The ozone layer absorbs 97 - 99% percent of all ultraviolet
light from the sun.
o The ozone layer helps to protect us from getting sunburn
and even possibly skin cancer.
2. Outline the process of ozone depletion and explain how
human activities in the past have contributed to it.
o Ever since the 1980s we have been aware of the depletion
which is being formed in the ozone.
o More and more ultra-violet light is entering the Earth's
atmosphere meaning plants have to adapt to the new
conditions and for humans, damage caused by the sun such
as sunburn and skin cancer is becoming more and more
likely.
o The depletion of the ozone layer is mainly a result of
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) or more specifically the chlorine
and bromine atoms released from CFCs.
o Chlorofluorocarbons are used in everyday appliances such as
aerosol spray cans, refrigerators and air conditions, CFCs
have since been eliminated completely due to the
problematic effects on the ozone layer.

o The diagram explains the process of ozone depletion. Firstly

the CFCs are released, they then interact with UV radiation
causing a chlorine atom to break away from the CFC. The
chlorine atom and ozone molecule combine and then the
ozone molecule is converted into an oxygen molecule.
 3. Why has ozone depletion led to a need for collaborative
research into new products that replace previous ozone
depleting substances?
Ozone depletion has led to a need for collaborative research into
new products that replace previous ozone depleting substances
because previous products and substances were depleting the ozone
layer because of this there was a need to replace these products and
substances.

Examples of substances that harm the ozone layer:

o Aerosols, Sterilants and Carbon Tetrachloride
o Foams, Halons, HCFCs (hydro chlorofluorocarbons)
o Methyl bromide and Solvents
o Coatings & Adhesives
 CFC’s:
o Ever since the 1970s there have been harsh regulations
around the use of CFC’s.
o In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was formed to call drastic
reduction on CFC’s, later in 1989, 12 nations from the agreed
to ban all production of CFC’s.
o As the regulations around CFC’s grew bigger and realisation
of ozone depletion was recognised, CFC’s were fully
eliminated by most 1st world countries and even developing
countries.
o Due to products containing CFC the ozone has continued to
deplete at an alarming rate. There is and was an urgent need
for these products containing CFC such as Aerosols, air
conditioners and refrigerators to be replaced with products
that do not contain chlorofluorocarbons.
o Examples of a CFC alternative is Hydro chlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs).
4. Outline the technological advancements that have been made
to continually assess levels of ozone depletion and describe
how they work.

Satellite:
o The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) uses hyperspectral
(collects and process information from the electromagnetic
spectrum)
o This uses imaging that uses the scattering of rays from the sun
to get images of the ozone layer.
o Was created by the Netherlands for Aerospace Programs in
collaboration with the Finnish Meteorology institute.

Balloon:
o Ozonesonde is an instrument that monitors the ozone layer
using balloons that sucks in ozone
o When the ozone is in the balloon, it mixes with a gas, ECC
(electrochemical concentration cell), that measures
o This reacts with the ozone, creating an electrical current

Other:
o Planes which are flown to the lower stratosphere can measure
the ozone
o Equipment on the ground have UV detectors that measures the
amount of UV that has penetrated the Ozone layer, using this
we can measure the ozone layer
What is Ozone Depletion?
o Ozone Depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer in the
stratosphere.
o Occurs when chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), most commonly
found in aerosol spray cans and refrigerants, are released into
the atmosphere.