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How Is Ozone Formed in The Atmosphere?

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere through different chemical processes depending on location. In the stratosphere, ozone is formed when oxygen molecules are broken apart by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and then combine with other oxygen molecules. Near Earth's surface, ozone is formed through chemical reactions involving naturally occurring gases and gases from pollution sources, such as fossil fuel combustion. The amount of ozone in both the stratosphere and troposphere depends on a balance between chemical reactions that produce and destroy ozone, which can vary based on factors like sunlight, location, and temperature.

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35 views

How Is Ozone Formed in The Atmosphere?

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere through different chemical processes depending on location. In the stratosphere, ozone is formed when oxygen molecules are broken apart by ultraviolet radiation from the sun and then combine with other oxygen molecules. Near Earth's surface, ozone is formed through chemical reactions involving naturally occurring gases and gases from pollution sources, such as fossil fuel combustion. The amount of ozone in both the stratosphere and troposphere depends on a balance between chemical reactions that produce and destroy ozone, which can vary based on factors like sunlight, location, and temperature.

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Nur Atirah
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© © All Rights Reserved
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20 Questions: 2010 Update

Section I: OZONE IN OUR ATMOSPHERE

Q2 How is ozone formed in the atmosphere?

Ozone is formed throughout the atmosphere in multistep chemical processes that require sunlight. In the stratosphere,
the process begins with an oxygen molecule (O2 ) being broken apart by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. In the lower
­atmos­phere (troposphere), ozone is formed by a different set of chemical reactions that involve naturally occurring gases and
those from pollution sources.

Stratospheric ozone. Stratospheric ozone is formed Some stratospheric ozone is regularly transported down
naturally by chemical reactions involving solar ultraviolet into the troposphere and can occasionally influence ozone
radiation (sunlight) and oxygen molecules, which make up amounts at Earth’s surface, particularly in remote, unpolluted
21% of the atmosphere. In the first step, solar ultraviolet regions of the globe.
radiation breaks apart one oxygen molecule (O2) to produce Tropospheric ozone. Near Earth’s surface, ozone is
two oxygen atoms (2 O) (see Figure Q2-1). In the second step, produced by chemical reactions involving naturally occur-
each of these highly reactive atoms combines with an oxygen ring gases and gases from pollution sources. Ozone produc-
molecule to produce an ozone molecule (O3). These reactions tion reactions primarily involve hydrocarbon and nitrogen
occur continually whenever solar ultraviolet radiation is pres- oxide gases, as well as ozone itself, and all require sunlight
ent in the stratosphere. As a result, the largest ozone produc- for completion. Fossil fuel combustion is a primary source
tion occurs in the tropical stratosphere. of pollutant gases that lead to tropospheric ozone produc-
The production of stratospheric ozone is balanced by its tion. The production of ozone near the surface does not sig-
destruction in chemical reactions. Ozone reacts continu- nificantly contribute to the abundance of stratospheric ozone.
ally with sunlight and a wide variety of natural and human- The amount of surface ozone is too small in comparison and
produced chemicals in the stratosphere. In each reaction, an the transport of surface air to the stratosphere is not effec-
ozone molecule is lost and other chemical compounds are tive enough. As in the stratosphere, ozone in the troposphere
produced. Important reactive gases that destroy ozone are is destroyed by naturally occurring chemical reactions and
hydrogen and nitrogen oxides and those containing chlorine by reactions involving human-produced chemicals. Tropo-
and bromine (see Q8). spheric ozone can also be destroyed when ozone reacts with a

Stratospheric Ozone Production

Figure Q2-1. Stratospheric ozone production. 


Ozone is naturally produced in the stratosphere by a two-
step reactive process. In the first step, solar ultraviolet
radiation (sunlight) breaks apart an oxygen molecule to
form two separate oxygen atoms. In the second step, each
atom then undergoes a binding collision with another
oxygen molecule to form an ozone molecule. In the over-
all process, three oxygen molecules plus sunlight react to
form two ozone molecules.

sunlight
Overall reaction: 3 O2 2 O3

Q.6
Section I: OZONE IN OUR ATMOSPHERE 20 Questions: 2010 Update

variety of surfaces, such as those of soils and plants. tion, ozone abundances increase. Similarly, if conditions
Balance of chemical processes. Ozone abundances change to favor other reactions that destroy ozone, abun-
in the stratosphere and troposphere are determined by the dances decrease. The balance of production and loss reac-
balance between chemical processes that produce and destroy tions combined with atmospheric air motions determines the
ozone. The balance is determined by the amounts of reactive global distribution of ozone on timescales of days to many
gases and how the rate or effectiveness of the various reactions months. Global ozone has decreased during the past several
varies with sunlight intensity, location in the atmosphere, decades because the amounts of reactive gases containing
temperature, and other factors. As atmospheric conditions chlorine and bromine have increased in the stratosphere (see
change to favor ozone-producing reactions in a certain loca- Q13) due to human activities.

Q.7

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