Stratospheric Ozone (SL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Topic Questions

1a2 marks

Briefly describe natural ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

1b3 marks

Briefly outline what happens when UV radiation interacts with a molecule of ozone.

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22 marks

State two effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on humans.

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31 mark

State one source of ozone depleting substances.

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41 mark

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty established in 1987 to address the depletion of the Earth's ozone layer.

It aims to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

The protocol has been highly successful in reducing ODS, leading to the gradual recovery of the ozone layer and mitigating the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the environment and human health.

Suggest one reason why an illegal market for ozone-depleting substances still exists.

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17 marks

Explain the processes that can lead to the depletion of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

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29 marks

Evaluate the role of national and international organisations in reducing the emissions of ozone-depleting substances.

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14 marks

For years, scientists have been engaging in discussions regarding the "ozone hole" located in the upper atmosphere over the Antarctic region. The graph below shows the changes in the ozone concentration at Halley Bay in the Antarctic since 1955. (A Dobson unit is a measure of the total amount of ozone in the atmosphere at a particular place.)

stratospheric-ozone

Describe the trend in ozone levels shown in the graph above.

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24 marks

Outline the potential effects of ozone depletion on living systems.

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35 marks

Depletion of the ozone layer is an example of positive feedback.

Explain how.

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44 marks

Outline two methods for reducing the manufacture and release of ozone-depleting substances, as part of pollution management to mitigate ozone depletion.

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