AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Reducing Ozone Depletion

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Reducing Ozone Depletion, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the primary role of the ozone layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Absorbing UV radiation. Ozone filters harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation from reaching Earth's surface.

Flashcard 2: Which compound replaces CFCs to reduce ozone depletion?

Answer: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs have lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs but still cause damage.

Flashcard 3: What percentage reduction in CFC levels does the Montreal Protocol aim for?

Answer: 100%. The protocol aims for complete elimination of CFC production and consumption.

Flashcard 4: Which international body oversees the implementation of the Montreal Protocol?

Answer: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP coordinates global efforts and monitors compliance with ozone treaties.

Flashcard 5: Name a natural source of ozone-depleting substances.

Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes release sulfur compounds that can deplete ozone temporarily.

Flashcard 6: What human activity is a major source of CFCs?

Answer: Refrigeration and air conditioning. CFCs were widely used as coolants before their ozone-depleting effects were known.

Flashcard 7: List a key provision of the Montreal Protocol.

Answer: Phasing out CFC production. The protocol mandates complete phase-out of CFC production by developed nations.

Flashcard 8: Name a method for monitoring ozone layer recovery.

Answer: Satellite observations. Satellites measure total ozone column thickness to track layer recovery.

Flashcard 9: Which gas, used in refrigeration, has replaced CFCs but still poses an environmental risk?

Answer: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs don't deplete ozone but have high global warming potential.

Flashcard 10: Which substance, used in fire extinguishers, depletes the ozone layer?

Answer: Halons. Halons contain bromine atoms that are particularly destructive to ozone.

Flashcard 11: Which gas, used in refrigeration, has replaced CFCs but still poses an environmental risk?

Answer: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs don't deplete ozone but have high global warming potential.

Flashcard 12: Which chemical reaction is involved in the natural formation of ozone?

Answer: Oxygen molecules and UV light. UV light splits $O_2$ molecules; oxygen atoms combine with $O_2$ forming $O_3$.

Flashcard 13: Which sector is a significant source of halons?

Answer: Firefighting. Fire suppression systems historically used halons before safer alternatives.

Flashcard 14: Identify a technological innovation that reduces ozone depletion.

Answer: Non-halogenated solvents. These solvents lack halogen atoms that cause ozone destruction.

Flashcard 15: How does increased UV-B radiation affect agriculture?

Answer: Decreased crop yields. Excess UV-B radiation damages plant cells and reduces photosynthesis efficiency.

Flashcard 16: Which factor enhances the breakdown of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere?

Answer: Polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds provide surfaces where chlorine compounds become ozone-destroying.

Flashcard 17: Name an industrial process that releases CFCs.

Answer: Aerosol propellants. CFCs were commonly used to propel contents from spray cans and bottles.

Flashcard 18: What is the main anthropogenic cause of ozone depletion?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs release chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

Flashcard 19: Which international agreement aims to reduce ozone-depleting substances?

Answer: The Montreal Protocol. Signed in 1987, this protocol phases out ozone-depleting substances globally.

Flashcard 20: Which strategy can individuals take to reduce ozone depletion?

Answer: Using energy-efficient appliances. Efficient appliances reduce demand for refrigerants containing ozone-depleting chemicals.

Flashcard 21: What measures the effectiveness of ozone-depleting substances?

Answer: Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). ODP compares substances to CFC-11's ozone destruction capability (ODP = 1.0).

Flashcard 22: Which UV type does the ozone layer primarily absorb?

Answer: UV-B. Ozone molecules absorb UV-B wavelengths (280-315 nm) most effectively.

Flashcard 23: Which factor enhances the breakdown of ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere?

Answer: Polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds provide surfaces where chlorine compounds become ozone-destroying.

Flashcard 24: What human activity is a major source of CFCs?

Answer: Refrigeration and air conditioning. CFCs were widely used as coolants before their ozone-depleting effects were known.

Flashcard 25: Which UV type does the ozone layer primarily absorb?

Answer: UV-B. Ozone molecules absorb UV-B wavelengths (280-315 nm) most effectively.

Flashcard 26: Which element in CFCs primarily causes ozone destruction?

Answer: Chlorine. Chlorine atoms act as catalysts, destroying many ozone molecules per atom.

Flashcard 27: Which alternative technologies help reduce reliance on ozone-depleting substances?

Answer: Ammonia-based refrigeration. Natural refrigerants like ammonia don't contain ozone-depleting halogens.

Flashcard 28: What is the main objective of the Vienna Convention?

Answer: Protecting the ozone layer. Signed in 1985, this convention established framework for ozone protection.

Flashcard 29: What is one outcome of the Montreal Protocol's success?

Answer: Decrease in atmospheric chlorine. Reduced chlorine levels indicate the protocol's effectiveness in ozone protection.

Flashcard 30: Which compound is used as a foam-blowing agent and depletes ozone?

Answer: Methyl bromide. Used in fumigation and foam production, methyl bromide releases bromine atoms.

Flashcard 31: What is the relationship between ozone depletion and global warming?

Answer: HFCs contribute to global warming. HFC replacements for CFCs are potent greenhouse gases warming the climate.

Flashcard 32: List a key provision of the Montreal Protocol.

Answer: Phasing out CFC production. The protocol mandates complete phase-out of CFC production by developed nations.

Flashcard 33: What is the main objective of the Vienna Convention?

Answer: Protecting the ozone layer. Signed in 1985, this convention established framework for ozone protection.

Flashcard 34: Which technology reduces the need for ozone-depleting substances in insulation?

Answer: Cellulose insulation. Natural insulation materials eliminate need for foam-blowing chemicals.

Flashcard 35: Which compound replaces CFCs to reduce ozone depletion?

Answer: Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs have lower ozone depletion potential than CFCs but still cause damage.

Flashcard 36: What environmental effect does ozone depletion have on marine ecosystems?

Answer: Reduced phytoplankton growth. Increased UV-B damages marine phytoplankton, disrupting ocean food webs.

Flashcard 37: Which sector is a significant source of halons?

Answer: Firefighting. Fire suppression systems historically used halons before safer alternatives.

Flashcard 38: Which UV radiation type is most harmful to living organisms?

Answer: UV-B. UV-B causes skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression in humans.

Flashcard 39: Identify a health effect of increased UV exposure due to ozone depletion.

Answer: Increased skin cancer risk. More UV-B radiation penetrates when ozone layer is depleted, causing DNA damage.

Flashcard 40: What is one outcome of the Montreal Protocol's success?

Answer: Decrease in atmospheric chlorine. Reduced chlorine levels indicate the protocol's effectiveness in ozone protection.

Flashcard 41: Which alternative technologies help reduce reliance on ozone-depleting substances?

Answer: Ammonia-based refrigeration. Natural refrigerants like ammonia don't contain ozone-depleting halogens.

Flashcard 42: Which element in CFCs primarily causes ozone destruction?

Answer: Chlorine. Chlorine atoms act as catalysts, destroying many ozone molecules per atom.

Flashcard 43: Identify a substance that contributes to ozone layer depletion.

Answer: Halons. Halons contain bromine which is highly effective at destroying ozone.

Flashcard 44: Which amendment addresses HFCs under the Montreal Protocol?

Answer: The Kigali Amendment. This 2016 amendment targets HFCs to prevent climate change acceleration.

Flashcard 45: Name a method for monitoring ozone layer recovery.

Answer: Satellite observations. Satellites measure total ozone column thickness to track layer recovery.

Flashcard 46: Which industry is responsible for substantial methyl bromide emissions?

Answer: Agriculture. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide releases bromine into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 47: Which international body oversees the implementation of the Montreal Protocol?

Answer: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). UNEP coordinates global efforts and monitors compliance with ozone treaties.

Flashcard 48: What is the main anthropogenic cause of ozone depletion?

Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs release chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

Flashcard 49: Which substance, used in fire extinguishers, depletes the ozone layer?

Answer: Halons. Halons contain bromine atoms that are particularly destructive to ozone.

Flashcard 50: What measures the effectiveness of ozone-depleting substances?

Answer: Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP). ODP compares substances to CFC-11's ozone destruction capability (ODP = 1.0).

Flashcard 51: Which part of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

Answer: The stratosphere. The ozone layer is located 15-35 km above Earth's surface in the stratosphere.

Flashcard 52: Which strategy can individuals take to reduce ozone depletion?

Answer: Using energy-efficient appliances. Efficient appliances reduce demand for refrigerants containing ozone-depleting chemicals.

Flashcard 53: Which industry is responsible for substantial methyl bromide emissions?

Answer: Agriculture. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide releases bromine into the atmosphere.

Flashcard 54: Which chemical reaction is involved in the natural formation of ozone?

Answer: Oxygen molecules and UV light. UV light splits $O_2$ molecules; oxygen atoms combine with $O_2$ forming $O_3$.

Flashcard 55: Which chemical reaction involves ozone depletion?

Answer: CFCs releasing chlorine atoms. Chlorine atoms from CFCs catalytically destroy thousands of ozone molecules.

Flashcard 56: Identify a technological innovation that reduces ozone depletion.

Answer: Non-halogenated solvents. These solvents lack halogen atoms that cause ozone destruction.

Flashcard 57: Which compound is used as a foam-blowing agent and depletes ozone?

Answer: Methyl bromide. Used in fumigation and foam production, methyl bromide releases bromine atoms.

Flashcard 58: What is the typical lifespan of CFCs in the atmosphere?

Answer: 50 to 100 years. CFCs persist for decades, continuing to destroy ozone long after release.

Flashcard 59: What environmental effect does ozone depletion have on marine ecosystems?

Answer: Reduced phytoplankton growth. Increased UV-B damages marine phytoplankton, disrupting ocean food webs.

Flashcard 60: What is the primary role of the ozone layer in Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: Absorbing UV radiation. Ozone filters harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation from reaching Earth's surface.

Flashcard 61: What is the relationship between ozone depletion and global warming?

Answer: HFCs contribute to global warming. HFC replacements for CFCs are potent greenhouse gases warming the climate.

Flashcard 62: Which part of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

Answer: The stratosphere. The ozone layer is located 15-35 km above Earth's surface in the stratosphere.

Flashcard 63: Which technology reduces the need for ozone-depleting substances in insulation?

Answer: Cellulose insulation. Natural insulation materials eliminate need for foam-blowing chemicals.