What is Ozone?

     Ozone is a erosive, almost colorless, odorous gas ( with a faint blue color). Ozone gas is made up of three molecules of oxygen (O₃). It is produced when oxygen molecules are broken up by energetic electrons and high energy radiation. Ozone gas is found in the earth's stratosphere, earth's upper atmosphere.� Ozone gas is rare but it has the highest concentration in the stratosphere. The ozone layer absorbs the ultraviolet radiation (UV) that the sun gives off. It prevents UV radiation from having harmful effects. UV radiation cause skin cancer, harm to crops and some forms of marine life. The ozone layer is approximately 15 to 35 km above the earth's surface. Ground level ozone is harmful to living organisms. It is mostly found in cities as smog. The ozone concentrations varies with the seasons, sunspots and latitude. Ozone molecules are constantly produced and destroyed. Without the ozone, we would not be alive. Recent research shows that ozone is being depleted due to changes other than the natural processes.