Final answer:
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is absorbed by oxygen molecules in the stratosphere to form the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful UV radiation. UV radiation is harmful because it can lead to skin cancers and other health issues when it reaches the Earth's surface. Conservation efforts have been effective in reducing ozone layer depletion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The radiation from the sun that helps in the formation of ozone is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This UV radiation, particularly UVB, is absorbed by oxygen molecules (O2) in the stratosphere, causing them to split into individual oxygen atoms. These free atoms then combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3), thus creating the ozone layer. The ozone layer is crucial as it acts as a protective shield that prevents most of the sun's harmful UV radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. This barrier is essential for preventing DNA mutations in organisms and protecting against skin cancers, eye damage, and harm to certain crops and marine life.
Despite its protective function in the stratosphere, UV radiation is considered harmful because, when the ozone layer is depleted, more UVB reaches the Earth. Increased exposure to UVB radiation has been strongly linked to the prevalence of skin cancers and other adverse health effects. Conservation efforts, like the Montreal Protocol to phase out substances damaging the ozone layer, have seen positive results, as the depletion has slowed down and the ozone layer is showing signs of recovery.