Which of these is not a consequence of ozone depletion?

• A. Increased ground-level ozone
• B. Reduced marine life
• C. Increased skin cancer
• D. Decreased crop loss

Answer: (D)

The choice that indicates decreased crop loss is not a consequence of ozone depletion because ozone depletion primarily leads to increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UV radiation can have harmful effects on various plant species, potentially leading to reduced crop yields and increased crop loss rather than the opposite.

The other consequences of ozone depletion include increased ground-level ozone, which occurs because ozone at ground level is a pollutant that can form from the interaction of sunlight with pollutants from vehicles and industrial sources, worsened by the depletion of stratospheric ozone. Additionally, increased UV radiation can lead to higher incidences of skin cancer due to greater exposure to harmful rays. Lastly, ozone depletion can negatively impact marine life, particularly phytoplankton, which are critical to ocean ecosystems and dependent on sunlight for photosynthesis; increased UV radiation can hinder their growth and survival, thereby affecting the larger marine food chain.