Re: Letter"O"

Posted by Anonymous on 2007/2/24 10:38:06

OZONE

The ozonosphere layer is the part of Planet Earth’s atmosphere which contains a few parts per million of relatively high concentrations of ozone (O3). It is mainly located in the lower portion of the stratosphere from approximately 15 km to 35 km above Earth's surface.

Ozone in the Earth's stratosphere is created by ultraviolet light striking oxygen molecules (O2), splitting them into individual oxygen atoms (atomic oxygen); the atomic oxygen then combines with unbroken O2 to create ozone.

Ozone is vitally important to life because it absorbs from around 35 km altitude, biologically harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from the Sun which would be very harmful to humans.

However it is also a pollutant at lower levels and can cause severe problems like oedema, haemorrage etc. UV Category 'B' radiation can be harmful to the skin and is the main cause of sunburn; excessive exposure can also cause genetic damage, resulting in problems such as skin cancer.

http://www.ozones.com/imagesindex.html
http://www.ozones.com/FTP/sky.jpegs/sky01.jpeg