Ozone

The Ozone is a molecule,with three oxygen atoms. The Ozone blocks harmful UV rays from hitting us and the Earth. In different layers of the atmosphere the Ozone can be good or bad. In the Troposphere, the Ozone contributes to the smog and greenhouse gas effect. Also it can act as a chemical oxidant, which means it can rip oxygen off you, animals, plants, etc. In the Stratosphere, the Ozone is mostly here. This is where most of the protection is from the UV rays. The Mesosphere, is where there is hardly any Ozone; but the Ozone still protects us from some of the UV rays. Ozone depletion is when the Ozone is being destroyed more than it can produce. Which means the Ozone is disappearing faster than it can produce more Ozone. Also when the CFCs/chlorofluorocarbons, reach the Stratosphere they release chlorine atoms. The chlorine atoms rip off the oxygen atoms from the Ozone, which depletes it.