Ozone contributes to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat in the troposphere.
Here's a breakdown of how ozone affects Earth's temperature balance:
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Absorption of Solar Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs UV radiation from the sun. This process heats the stratosphere, a layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere. While this absorption is crucial for protecting life on Earth from harmful UV rays, it doesn't directly contribute to the greenhouse effect in the troposphere (the lowest layer where we live).
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Absorption of Infrared (IR) Radiation: Ozone also absorbs infrared radiation emitted by the Earth's surface. According to the provided reference, this absorption "effectively trap[s] heat in the troposphere." This trapping of heat is precisely what defines the greenhouse effect.
Essentially, ozone acts like a blanket, preventing some of the Earth's outgoing infrared radiation from escaping into space, thus warming the planet.
| Effect | Location | Mechanism | Contribution to Greenhouse Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV Radiation Absorption | Stratosphere | Ozone absorbs UV, heating the stratosphere. | Indirect (heating stratosphere) |
| IR Radiation Absorption | Troposphere | Ozone absorbs IR emitted by Earth's surface. | Direct (trapping heat) |
