A hole in the ozone layer was found above ________.

The correct answer is Antarctica.

Key Points

• The hole in the ozone layer was first discovered in the stratosphere above Antarctica in the mid-1980s.
• The primary cause of the ozone layer depletion is the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
• The ozone hole is most prominent during the Antarctic spring (September to November) when sunlight triggers chemical reactions involving ODS.
• Ozone layer depletion leads to increased levels of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface, causing skin cancer, cataracts, and ecological damage.
• The discovery of the ozone hole prompted global action, leading to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international treaty to phase out ODS.

Additional Information

• Ozone Layer: A thin layer of ozone (O₃) molecules in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Synthetic compounds used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and aerosol sprays; these are major contributors to ozone depletion.
• Montreal Protocol: An international treaty signed in 1987 to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. It is considered one of the most successful environmental agreements.
• Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs): Clouds that form in the extremely cold stratosphere over polar regions and play a key role in ozone depletion by activating ODS.
• Environmental Impact: Ozone depletion affects ecosystems, including marine life, by disrupting the food chain due to increased UV radiation exposure in aquatic environments.