Ozone–oxygen cycle
Article
The ozone–oxygen cycle is a set of photochemical reactions that continuously creates and destroys ozone in the stratosphere. It begins when ultraviolet radiation splits oxygen molecules into individual oxygen atoms.
The free oxygen atoms combine with oxygen molecules to form ozone. Ozone then absorbs ultraviolet radiation and breaks apart again, returning oxygen atoms and molecules to the cycle.
This natural process forms the ozone layer, which absorbs much of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet-B and ultraviolet-C radiation. The balance depends on sunlight, temperature, altitude, and atmospheric composition.
Catalytic reactions involving chlorine, bromine, nitrogen, and hydrogen compounds can accelerate ozone destruction. Human-made chlorofluorocarbons and halons caused major stratospheric ozone depletion before international controls reduced their emissions.
Source details and credits
- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone–oxygen_cycle