Why is the ozone layer in Antarctica significant?

It is getting thinner, allowing more harmful ultraviolet rays to reach Earth
It is a valuable resource but harvesting it could harm native wildlife
It exists nowhere else, so scientists must travel there to study its properties
It could grow dangerously large if climate change continues

1 answer

The significance of the ozone layer in Antarctica primarily relates to the fact that it is getting thinner, allowing more harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays to reach Earth. This depletion of the ozone layer is a result of human-made chemicals, particularly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been linked to ozone depletion. Increased UV radiation can lead to various negative effects, including higher rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and harmful impacts on ecosystems. Thus, the most accurate statement regarding the significance of the ozone layer in Antarctica is:

It is getting thinner, allowing more harmful ultraviolet rays to reach Earth.