Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MVAC Certification

What is a known effect of ozone depletion?

1. Increased plant growth

2. Higher ultraviolet radiation levels

3. Improved air quality

4. Lower temperatures

The correct answer is: Higher ultraviolet radiation levels

The correct answer highlights that higher ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are a known effect of ozone depletion. The ozone layer, located in the Earth's stratosphere, acts as a shield that absorbs the majority of the Sun's harmful UV radiation. When the ozone layer is depleted, it allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface, which can have significant consequences for both environmental and human health. Increased levels of UV radiation can lead to a rise in skin cancers, cataracts, and other health issues in humans. Additionally, it can negatively impact ecosystems, including marine life and terrestrial plants, disrupting growth and development. In contrast to this, the other options indicate outcomes that are not associated with ozone depletion. Increased plant growth is generally not tied to the increased UV levels that result from ozone depletion; many plants can be harmed by excessive UV radiation. Improved air quality does not directly correlate with ozone layer thinning, as the issues of air pollution and ozone depletion are distinct environmental challenges. Lower temperatures are not a direct result of ozone depletion; instead, the changes in temperature and climate are influenced by a broader set of factors, including greenhouse gas emissions rather than the status of the ozone layer.