Final answer:
Ozone depletion is the reduction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere caused by chlorine and bromine from CFCs and ODS, leading to increased UV radiation and environmental damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ozone Depletion and Air Pollution
Ozone depletion refers to the reduction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere. The ozone layer is crucial for absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The primary chemical culprits causing its depletion are man-made compounds, particularly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
These substances release chlorine and bromine atoms into the stratosphere, where they catalytically destroy ozone molecules, leading to what is commonly known as the 'ozone hole' over Antarctica. Ozone layer depletion results in increased levels of UV radiation reaching the Earth, which can lead to increased skin cancer rates, cataracts, and can have adverse effects on the environment, including disrupting the nitrogen cycle and food webs in the oceans.