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Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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How Much Ultraviolet Radiation Does the Ozone Layer Actually Absorb?

Authors: Perez Casadiego, rogelio;

How Much Ultraviolet Radiation Does the Ozone Layer Actually Absorb?

Abstract

For decades, the scientific community and educational texts have asserted that the ozone layer, despite its extremely low concentration in the atmosphere, constitutes Earth's primary defense against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, this assertion is rarely subjected to rigorous quantitative verification. This study performs a numerical evaluation of ozone's UV absorption capacity using fundamental physical data: atmospheric ozone concentration (0.000004% by volume), molecular density, absorption cross-section, and incident UV flux. The calculations reveal that ozone absorbs only approximately 2.4 × 10⁻⁹% of the incident UV energy — a fraction so small that it challenges the conventional narrative. This finding suggests that other atmospheric components, particularly molecular oxygen (O₂), which constitutes 21% of the atmosphere, must play the dominant role in UV protection. The study does not deny ozone's UV absorption capability but rather quantifies it, exposing a significant discrepancy between qualitative assertions and quantitative reality.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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