Increase in surface UV-B radiation have been observed in association with local reduction in stratospheric ozone. This observation has been made with both ground-based and satellite-based instruments. But let me explain the science behind it.

The ozone molecule is three Oxygen atoms bound together. When struck by high energy radiation the O3 is broken up into individual O2 & individual ionized Oxygen+ atoms (Oxygen atoms with an electron knocked out of em)

With an increase in solar output comes an influx of additional ionizing radiation.

The gases at all levels of the ionosphere provide protection from the sun's radiation. Near the highest levels of the ionosphere the F2 layer is found at about 150 miles. The gases from this atmospheric layer interact with Extreme Ultraviolet radiation. At lower altitudes, 20 miles or so, the gases interact with lower energy UV and create and are now absorbed by the ozone layer.

In the ionosphere, humanity is protected from solar radiation when a neutral atom absorbs incoming radiation and becomes an ion when one of its electrons is freed and the photon is stopped. The energy of the photon is effectively absorbed by the electron.

Increase solar output and you have too much incoming radiation than can be absorbed by the F2 layer. Oxygen atoms, Ionized Oxygen atoms and O2 give way to ozone (O3) where ozone molecules now take the brunt of the impact, absorb the photons and become O2 and Oxygen+ atoms or alternatively an ozone molecule might get struck by two photons simultaneously and create a variation of O+, O+ and Oxygen.

The breakdown of ozone feeds the higher levels of the ionosphere with new (lighter) Oxygen atoms, but under an increased load we would see the ozone layer thin out, as I mentioned.*

It's fairly complex, but really it is just not widely discussed or taught. If no one understands this post, it may be harder to understand than I think it is.

I wish everyone knew how it works because more would see that CFCs aren't the big culprit in ozone depletion and would direct their efforts towards the real threat: solar radiation.

SDAI-Tech1

*For those who are following along closely and are thinking, "Shouldn't the released Oxygen, Oxygen+ and O2 atoms generated by the breakdown of the ozone still catch the incoming radiation?," the answer is hidden in those ionized Oxygen atoms (O+). These atoms already have had an electron knocked out and are less effective at stopping or "catching" a bypassing photon.