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Ozone Layer Facts & Worksheets

The ozone layer is a layer of gas in the atmosphere that protects all living organisms from harmful UV radiation from the sun.

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In the same manner that our sunscreens protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer protects us from these harsh wavelengths. The ozone layer is a layer of gas that protects all living organisms from UV-B and UV-C.

See the fact file below for more information on the Ozone Layer, or you can download our 27-page Ozone Layer worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS OZONE?

  • Ozone is a highly-reactive gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. Thus, its chemical formula is O3. 
  • It is pale blue and has an acrid smell. This gas occurs in both the troposphere and the stratosphere.
  • The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere. It extends from the Earth’s surface to about 12 kilometers in height. The height of the troposphere varies: it is higher at the equator and lower at the poles.
  • The ozone found in the troposphere is known as bad ozone.
  • Substances such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) contribute to the formation of bad ozone.
  • Cars, trucks, industrial facilities, household products, cleaning supplies, paints, and solvents are sources of NOx and VOCs.
  • NOx and VOC will undergo a photochemical reaction upon contact with sunlight. The breakdown of NOx and VOC causes the formation of ozone.
  • The ozone in the troposphere is a pollutant as it causes lung damage and asthma attacks.
  • Meanwhile, the ozone found in the stratosphere is naturally occurring and is known as good ozone.
  • The stratosphere is the layer of Earth’s atmosphere found right above the troposphere at approximately 12 and 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface. 
  • It is known as the home of the ozone layer, as 90% of atmospheric ozone occurs in this layer.

THE OZONE LAYER

  • The stratosphere is the layer of Earth’s atmosphere where protective gases, such as ozone, occur.
  • Although most atmospheric ozone occurs in this layer of the atmosphere, there are only three molecules of ozone for every ten million molecules of air.
  • As mentioned, the ozone in the stratosphere is a protective shield against radiation from the Sun. It acts like a sponge that absorbs some ultraviolet rays hitting Earth.
  • Although the energy coming from the Sun comes in the form of ultraviolet light or radiation, this is necessary to sustain all life forms on Earth, but it also poses risks to all organisms living on the planet.
  • Different types of UV rays come from the Sun – UVA, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-A is the most common type of UV rays as the ozone layer does not absorb it. It can penetrate our skin down to its middle layer. UV- A is associated with skin aging.
  • In comparison to UV-A, UV-B has a shorter wavelength and can only penetrate the upper layer of the skin.
  • This type of UV ray is associated with skin burning. Most of the UV-B radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer.
  • Lastly, UV-C has an even shorter wavelength compared to UV-B. The ozone layer absorbs all UV-C radiation, but lamps and lasers are some of its artificial sources.
  • Exposure to UV-C radiation can result in skin burns and eye injuries.

OZONE FORMATION AND DEPLETION

  • Ozone forms when sunlight breaks down oxygen gases (O2) into oxygen atoms (O). These oxygen atoms will then merge with oxygen gas to ultimately form ozone (O3).
  • Ozone, being highly reactive, can also be broken down into an oxygen gas and an oxygen atom upon contact with sunlight.
  • Aside from this, oxygen atoms can also form new substances with other gases present in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen gas (N2).
  • Understanding how ozone is formed and broken down is necessary to understand how the ozone layer is thinning.
  • In 1979, Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina predicted that a chemical used in refrigerants, aerosol cans, and plastic products deplete the ozone layer. 
  • Then, in 1985, Farman, Gardiner, and Shanklin published a paper about the depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica. 
  • They found out that every year, during spring, the ozone over Antarctica decreases significantly. At first, they thought it was normal as seasons can affect ozone levels.
  • However, every year, during spring, there were record low levels of the ozone layer over the region.
  • To add, a satellite captured an image of this damage. The image looks like the ozone layer over the Antarctic was punched, creating a hole hence, its name. 
  • Since then, the term ozone hole is used to describe areas of damage in the ozone layer. However, this name is misleading as there is no actual ozone hole. Instead, the areas of damage are just thinning.
  • The paper published in 1985 did not just inform the world about the damage to the ozone layer; it also told us how aerosol cans, air conditioning units, and refrigerators caused this problem.
  • Refrigerants, styrofoams, and other plastic products were made with a chemical called chlorofluorocarbon or CFC.
  • CFC is composed of the elements carbon, fluorine, and chlorine. CFCs are inactive and stable in the lowest layer of the atmosphere- the troposphere. 
  • However, once CFCs reach the stratosphere, where photons have tremendous energy, they are broken down into their components.
  • Chlorine (Cl) is the atom responsible for the destruction of ozone (O3). 
  • Chlorine interacts with ozone and causes it to form two molecules – chlorine monoxide (ClO) and oxygen gas (O2).
  • A free oxygen atom can destroy ClO, forming another oxygen gas and a chlorine atom. This free chlorine atom will then destroy another O3 molecule, and the cycle continues.
  • A single chlorine atom can single-handedly destroy thousands of ozone molecules, causing an imbalance wherein ozone becomes more difficult to form than to destroy.
  • Another factor that contributed to the depletion of the ozone is the lifespan of CFCs. It can last up to 50 to 100 years in our atmosphere.
  • Due to these findings, awareness was raised. Scientists conducted press conferences, and the media played a huge part in ensuring people were informed about this problem and its consequences.

THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL

  • Due to the rising public awareness, the government was moved to address the problem by formulating and signing an agreement to ban substances that deplete the ozone layer- the Montreal Protocol.
  • The Montreal Protocol is one of the most successful universally ratified environmental agreements, which aims to ban CFCs and use more ozone-friendly substances as an alternative.
  • On September 16, 1987, 197 countries ratified the treaty. Developed and developing countries have differentiated but equal contributions in achieving the goal of the agreement.
  • The Montreal Protocol is successful in regulating the production of CFCs. This is evident in the current state of the ozone layer. The treaty also banned 98% of ozone-depleting substances, which is beyond their goal.
  • The Montreal Protocol is still evolving. In 2020, the Kigali Amendment was ratified by 150 countries.
  • This amendment aims to regulate the production and use of HFCs, hydrofluorocarbons, an alternative to CFCs.
  • HFCs were introduced as a non-ozone-depleting substance. However, it is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes significantly to global warming.
  • HFCs are a threat to keeping global temperatures from rising at or below 2°C before the end of this century. 
  • The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol can prevent emissions of up to 105 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which will help avoid a 0.5°C rise in global temperatures by 2100.
  • The Montreal Protocol does not just address the depletion of the ozone layer but also helps in preventing severe changes in our global climate.

Ozone Layer Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Ozone Layer across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Ozone Layer. The Ozone Layer is a layer of gas that protects all living organisms from UV-B and UV-C.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Ozone Layer Fact File
  2. Words Crossing
  3. Self-Check
  4. Fact or Bluff
  5. The Good & The Bad
  6. A-B-C
  7. A Global Effort
  8. Human Impacts
  9. People Power
  10.  Make or Break
  11. Pledge Board

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. It is located approximately 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 31 miles) above the Earth’s surface. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing the majority of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

How does the ozone layer protect us?

The ozone layer acts as a shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun. Specifically, it absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation. UV-B and UV-C rays can cause various health issues in living organisms, including skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to plants and marine life.

What causes the depletion of the ozone layer?

The main cause of ozone layer depletion is the release of human-made chemicals called ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The most significant contributors are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform, which were commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosol propellants, and foam-blowing agents. When these substances are released into the atmosphere, they break down under certain conditions, releasing chlorine and bromine atoms that can catalytically destroy ozone molecules.

What efforts have been made to protect the ozone layer?

To address the issue of ozone layer depletion, the international community came together and established the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. The protocol is a global treaty that aims to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. Since its implementation, the protocol has been successful in reducing the emissions of ODS significantly, leading to a gradual recovery of the ozone layer. As a result, there have been notable improvements in the size and depth of the Antarctic ozone hole in recent years. However, continued efforts and international cooperation are essential to ensure its full recovery and protection for future generations.

What is the “ozone hole”?

The “ozone hole” is a term used to describe the severe depletion of ozone over Antarctica that occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring (September to November). It was first observed in the 1980s and linked to human-made ozone-depleting substances. During the Antarctic spring, the combination of extremely cold temperatures and sunlight triggers chemical reactions that accelerate ozone destruction, leading to a significant reduction in ozone levels over the region.

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Link will appear as Ozone Layer Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 14, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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