IB ESS HL 6.4.3 Stratospheric ozone protection Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 006.004.003 by applying stratospheric ozone protection concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS HL
- Level
- HL
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 006.004.003 by applying stratospheric ozone protection concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.

Figure Ozone concentration by altitude in the atmosphere

Figure Percentage change in tropospheric ozone exposure 2010-2019
Identify the altitude with the highest concentration of ozone shown in Figure.
22-24 km;
Note to examiners: Do not credit if units are omitted.
With reference to Figure, describe the importance of a higher ozone concentration between 20 and 30 kilometres for living organisms.
With reference to Figure, describe the importance of higher ozone concentration between 20 and 30 kilometers for living organisms.
a. Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun / less ozone means more ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth's surface;
b. Ultraviolet radiation is harmful for living tissues / increasing the incidence of cataracts / mutation during cell division / skin cancer/melanoma / immune deficiency;
c. Increased ultraviolet radiation may reduce biological productivity / damage photosynthesising organisms including phytoplankton...;
d. ...disrupting food chains/ecological equilibria / e.g. reduction of krill population around Antarctica;
Note to examiners: Do not credit simplistic statements, like "protects life on Earth", "absorbs sun's rays".