The Ozone Layer is a layer of atmosphere on many worlds which have a higher concentration than usual of ozone - which is a triatomic molecule comprised of three oxygen atoms. On worlds capable of supporting life, the ozone layer is of vital importance as it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
On Earth, the ozone layer was located from 15km to 35km above the surface of the planet. Industrialization on Earth resulted in severe damage to the ozone layer in the 20th century. (TNG episode: "When the Bough Breaks")
The damage to the ozone layer was first detected by Flint, under the alias of "Wilson Evergreen". Inventing the technology he needed to repair a hole above Antarctica, Flint received funding from the United States of America to develop his machines at Da Vinci Research Base. Flint was eventually approached by Gary Seven who revealed to him that the US government sought to use his technology as a weapon. Though Flint initially thought to fix the hole before he left, Seven convinced him to leave the damage, noting that its existential threat would be a factor in humanity's maturation. Seven was accompanied by a young Khan Noonien Singh who later stole the files on Flint's technology from the Beta 5 computer. (TOS novel: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Volume 1)
Khan used Flint's research to build the Morning Star satellite, a weapon of mass destruction capable of manipulating Earth's ozone layer. When Khan's powerbase collapsed in 1994, Khan programmed the Morning Star to destroy the planet's ozone layer only for Gary Seven to talk him down. (TOS novel: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh, Volume 2)
By the mid 21st century, Earth's ozone layer had been nearly destroyed. The depletion of the ozone layer caused a number of diseases amongst the populace on Earth, including sterility. Earth's ozone layer was eventually restored. (TNG episode: "When the Bough Breaks")
The explosion of Ceti Alpha VI shredded the ozone layer of Ceti Alpha V, exposing many of the Augment exiles to dangerous UV radiation and forcing the group to always wear protective equipment when venturing to the planet's surface. (TOS novel: To Reign in Hell: The Exile of Khan Noonien Singh)
In 2293 over-mining and insufficient safety precautions led to the destruction of Qo'noS' moon Praxis in a massive explosion. The shockwave from the explosion depleted the ozone layer of Qo'noS. This and other devastation to the planet was a major factor in the Empire's decision to negotiate peace with the Federation later that year. After the Khitomer Conference, work was begun to repair the damage to Qo'noS. (TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; ST novel: Sarek)
The planet Aldea had also suffered the loss of its ozone layer. By the mid-24th century the Aldeans were sterile, and the last child born on that world was a young adult. The Aldeans kidnapped several children from the USS Enterprise-D, hoping that the children would repopulate the planet. Doctor Beverly Crusher discovered the Aldeans were dying due to the depletion of the ozone layer, and that the Enterprise children would be affected themselves eventually. The Aldeans returned the children to the Enterprise and allowed the Enterprise crew to assist them. The planet's ozone layer was restored, and the Aldeans responded well to treatment. (TNG episode: "When the Bough Breaks")
External links[]
- Ozone layer article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Ozone article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- Ozone layer article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.