Question

Why is a thin ozone layer over Antarctica of particular concern to scientists?

It is directly over one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.

It could result in melting ice caps, causing sea levels to rise.

It would affect fishing hauls in the areas beneath it.

No scientific research can be conducted as long as the hole exists.

Answer 1

I dunno really maybe 2?

Answer 2

cause the ozone layer blocks sunlight and uv rays that are hot

Answer 3

its very simple. Ozone is formed when sunlight (photons) hit O2, they are able to form O3 which is known as Ozone. It is very unstable, but seems to hold well in the conditions in the stratosphere.

Sunlight hits directly more towards the equator and far less toward the north and south pole. Since they get significantly less direct sunlight at the poles, the ozone will not form as easily. This is the reason the hole is over Antartica.

Answer 4

but why is it of concern?

Answer 5

At the moment, catastrophic ozone depletion is only seen in the Antarctic during the spring, but surrounding areas experience lowered ozone levels as the ozone hole decays at the end of the spring. As the ozone hole rotates, it may extend over populated areas for a short while when it is very elongated. For example it covered the tip of South America and the Falkland Islands for over a week in October 1994 (Fig. 12).

Limited ozone depletion can occur above the Arctic, but at present it is confined to parts of the region and only lasts for a few days at a time. If CFC releases had continued at the high rates of the mid 1980s, a continental sized ozone hole might have appeared over the Arctic. Elsewhere in the northern hemisphere, stratospheric ozone amounts over temperate latitudes have fallen by 5 to 10% during the winter.

Answer 6

All living cells, whether microbes, plants or animals, contain a complex molecule called DNA which carries the genetic code. This is the set of instructions which describes the structure and biochemistry of an organism. Unfortunately, DNA readily absorbs high-energy UV-B radiation and becomes damaged so that the instructions cannot be read properly. If the amount of UV-B entering the cell increases (as during the ozone hole), the risk of damage also increases and may result in malfunction or death of the organism. Some Antarctic organisms such as algae, lichens and mosses also contain a pigment called chlorophyll. This absorbs visible light as the energy source of photosynthesis for making organic compounds. Chlorophyll also absorbs UV-B light so that the system becomes bleached and non-functional. Even enzymes and other proteins are damaged by this high-energy radiation. Living organisms therefore have to protect themselves from UV-B. Humans can cover their skin with artificial sunscreens, but natural protection systems have also evolved. Many microbes, plants and other animals synthesize protective pigments. Our skin cells synthesize brown melanin to protect against sunburn (which is caused by UV-B radiation), and so do Antarctic lichens on rocks near the edge of the polar ice-cap. A variety of suncreen pigments are produced by Antarctic organisms on land, in freshwater and in the sea. That is why exposed, snow-free rocks are often covered with bright orange and yellow lichens. Some lichens and microbes even live inside translucent rocks to shelter from high radiation levels and desiccating winds!

Answer 7

The Greenhouse Effect (producing global warming) and ozone depletion are two separate problems, however there are links between them. Warming at the earth's surface is caused by certain gases in the atmosphere which can trap energy from the sun. An increase in the amount of these gases produces an increase in the surface temperature. The largest increase is in carbon dioxide from burning coal, oil, gas and forests, but other gases such as methane (from cattle and rice fields) play a part. A link with ozone depletion is that CFCs are gases which also contribute to greenhouse warming.

A further link is that although the Greenhouse Effect warms the surface, it allows the higher atmosphere, where ozone is present, to cool. This means that more stratospheric clouds may form and so make the ozone hole worse.

Even if the problem of ozone depletion is solved, global warming will still remain. It will cause a rise in sea-level and change the regions where crops can be grown. The issue will be harder to tackle than ozone depletion, but is one which concerns everyone on our planet.

Answer 8

no need to post and entire wikipedia page

Answer 9

Omg you just typed a novel or something

Answer 10

hows that for evidence?

Answer 11

Whens your new book coming out

Answer 12

that doesn't answer the question

Answer 13

lol

Answer 14

yes it does Dahmanman u dumbass read it now

Answer 15

lol let me guess b?

Answer 16

o_o..................................... #shotsfired

Answer 17

okay its good evidence you did good job

Answer 18

medal for good sport^

Answer 19

YW