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Question
How depletion of the ozone layer affect living organisms?
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Solution
- The thinning of the ozone layer results in an increase in the levels of UV radiation reaching the earth’s surface. In humans, increased UV radiation causes ageing of the skin, damage/injuries to skin cells and skin cancers including melanoma.
- It also causes cataracts and even permanent damage to the cornea, weakening of immune system. UV radiation also causes mutations in living organisms.
- DNA and proteins of living cells absorb the UV rays, and high energy of UV radiation breaks the chemical bonds of these molecules, thus affecting normal metabolism.
- UV radiation inhibits photosynthesis in most phytoplanktons as it penetrates through the ocean water. This affects the entire food chain in the aquatic ecosystem.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
The harmful radiations absorbed by the ozone layer are ______.
Explain how, harmful ultraviolet radiations of sunlight are prevented from reaching the earth's surface.
What are the causes of depletion of ozone layer? Which diseases are likely to be caused if the ozone layer will become thinner?
What step has been taken by UNEP in 1987 to prevent too much damage to the ozone layer?
How is ozone formed in the higher level of atmosphere?
Match the items in column I with the closely related ones in column II.
| Column l | Column lI | ||
| (i) | Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) | (a) | Global warming |
| (ii) | Fly ash | (b) | Biodegradable |
| (iii) | Cow dung | (c) | Nuclear radiation pollutant |
| (iv) | CO2 and methane | (d) | Acid rain |
| (v) | Sulphur dioxide | (e) | Industrial waste |
| (vi) | Iodine-131 | (f) | Ozone depletion |
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Give balanced equation for the following conversion [one or two steps].
A molecule of ozone to two molecules of oxygen gas.
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Long answer type question
Montreal protocol is an essential step. Why is it so?
