Barrons AP Environmental Science

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

  1. (D) The more ozone in a given parcel of the stratosphere, the more heat it
    retains. Ozone generates heat in the stratosphere, both by absorbing the
    sun’s ultraviolet radiation and by absorbing upwelling infrared radiation
    from the lower atmosphere (troposphere). Consequently, decreased ozone in
    the stratosphere results in lower stratospheric temperatures and increased
    UV radiation reaching the surface of Earth. Over recent decades, the mid to
    upper stratosphere from 19–31 miles (30–50 km) above Earth’s surface has
    cooled by 2°F to 11°F (1°C to 6°C). This stratospheric cooling has taken
    place at the same time that greenhouse gas amounts in the lower atmosphere
    (troposphere) have risen.

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