Choose the correct statements about ozone in the stratosphere:
A. Rate of O₃ production is highest at the equator and at about 40 km height. B. Maximum O₃ concentration at the equator occurs at about 25 km as opposed to 40 km height. C. At poles, maximum O₃ production occurs at altitudes even higher than those over the equator. D. Regions of highest O₃ concentration do not coincide with the location of the highest rate of O₃ formation. E. Catalytic destruction of O₃ is more in the Arctic compared to Antarctica due to more CFCs in the northern hemisphere.
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

· Statement A:Correct. The rate of ozone production is highest at the equator due to strong UV radiation and occurs primarily at around 40 km altitude. The intense sunlight at the equator facilitates rapid photochemical reactions, producing ozone.
· Statement B:Correct. Maximum ozone concentration occurs at approximately 25 km altitude due to a balance between production, destruction, and transport processes. This is lower than the altitude of peak ozone production (40 km).
· Statement C:Correct. In polar regions, ozone production occurs at higher altitudes compared to equatorial regions due to colder temperatures and different atmospheric dynamics.
· Statement D:Correct. Ozone concentration is maximum at around 25 km altitude, whereas production peaks at 40 km altitude. Atmospheric circulation redistributes ozone, resulting in a mismatch between production and concentration regions.
· Statement E:Incorrect. Catalytic destruction of ozone is more significant in Antarctica than the Arctic, due to the presence of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and the stable Antarctic polar vortex, which enhances ozone depletion efficiency in the southern hemisphere.
Key Explanation: 1. Ozone is produced in the tropical stratosphere and transported to higher latitudes.
2. Maximum production occurs at higher altitudes (~40 km), while maximum concentration occurs lower (~25 km).
3. Polar dynamics affect ozone production, with higher altitudes for production in the poles.
4. Ozone destruction is more pronounced in Antarctica, not the Arctic, due to unique meteorological conditions.
Information Booster: 1. Ozone is formed through photochemical reactions in the presence of UV radiation.
2. Transport mechanisms, such as the Brewer-Dobson circulation, move ozone from the tropics to higher latitudes.
3. Ozone destruction is accelerated by chlorine and bromine from anthropogenic CFCs.
4. The Antarctic ozone hole is more severe than Arctic depletion due to stronger polar vortex conditions and the formation of PSCs.
5. Ozone concentration is highest in mid-latitudes, despite peak production in the tropics.
Additional Knowledge: · Rate of Ozone Production (A): Ozone is produced when UV radiation splits oxygen molecules into atomic oxygen, which reacts with molecular oxygen. Strong UV radiation at the equator leads to the highest rate of production at about 40 km altitude.
· Ozone Concentration (B): Maximum concentration occurs around 25 km due to the combined effects of production, transport, and destruction. It is not tied directly to production peaks.
· Polar Ozone Production (C): Ozone production shifts to higher altitudes at the poles due to colder temperatures and weaker UV radiation.
· Ozone Distribution (D): Atmospheric circulation redistributes ozone, creating regions where concentration is highest (25 km) despite peak production at 40 km.
· Catalytic Destruction (E): The Antarctic polar vortex enhances ozone destruction by trapping CFCs and enabling reactions on PSC surfaces, making Antarctic depletion more severe than Arctic.
Key Points: 1. Maximum ozone production and concentration occur at different altitudes.
2. Polar ozone production occurs at higher altitudes due to atmospheric conditions.
3. Ozone destruction is more severe in Antarctica due to PSCs and the stable vortex.