Question

Increased levels of ultraviolet light at Earth's surface

A) pose a threat of skin cancer to all races.
B) are related to an increasing rate of skin cancer.
C) have been identified as causing damage to oceanic life forms.
D) are tied to the general reduction in stratospheric ozone.
E) All of these are correct.

Answer 1

Increased UV-B levels due to the reduction of the stratospheric ozone result in higher skin cancer rates and damage to oceanic life, as UV-B can cause DNA damage, leading to harmful mutations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) light at Earth's surface have multiple detrimental impacts. UV-B radiation has been linked to an increase in skin cancer rates, including dangerous forms like malignant melanoma, due to its ability to damage DNA in skin cells, potentially causing cancerous mutations.

Additionally, UV-B can harm oceanic life forms and has led to reductions in crucial populations like plankton which are fundamental to the marine food chain. The degradation of the stratospheric ozone layer is directly related to increases in UV-B radiation at the surface of the Earth. This layer historically absorbs most of the UV-B and UV-C radiation from the sun, preventing them from causing extensive damage to both terrestrial organisms and aquatic ecosystems.