Tropospheric vs. Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone: “Good up high, bad nearby”

Ozone Basics

• Colorless, odorless, tasteless • The ozone plays a vital role in the atmosphere – absorbs most of the damaging UV sunlight (UV-B) – Plays a key role in the temperature structure of the Earth’s atmosphere • Composed of three oxygen atoms and have the chemical formula O 3

Tropospheric vs. Stratospheric Ozone • • • • Tropospheric Ozone Ground level ozone Unstable Reacts chemically with plants, rubber, and the tissues of living creatures – including you! (kids and elderly people are the most affected) Has harmful effect on crop production, forest growth, and human health • • • Stratospheric Ozone Protective ozone layer Absorbs UV radiation, thus creating a source of heat for the Earth Filters out UV-B radiation (the cause of skin cancers)

“Good up high, bad nearby”