Ozone is known to cause respiratory problems in humans and to damage plants. However, the ozone layer also protects Earth. Explain the locations ozone can be found, how ozone is helpful, how it is harmful, and what causes the depletion of the ozone layer.
Ozone deflects UV light from the Sun, especially sigma UV light.
Ozone can be found in different areas of the Earth's atmosphere. The majority of ozone, about 90%, is found in the stratosphere, which is the layer of the atmosphere located between 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. This ozone in the stratosphere acts as a shield, absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. However, at ground level, ozone is considered a pollutant and can cause respiratory problems and damage to plants. The depletion of the ozone layer is primarily caused by human-made chemicals known as ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which release chlorine and bromine atoms that react with ozone molecules and break them down.
