In absorption of insolation, the most significant part is played by

In the absorption of incoming solar radiation (insolation), ozone plays the most significant role among the given options. The atmosphere is largely transparent to short-wave solar radiation, but specific constituents absorb certain wavelengths [5]. Ozone, primarily located in the stratosphere, is critical because it absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specifically UV-B and UV-C [8]. While oxygen also absorbs UV-C at higher altitudes [5], ozone's absorption of UV-B is vital for safeguarding life and heating the stratosphere [4]. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas that primarily absorbs long-wave terrestrial radiation rather than short-wave insolation [7]. Haze and aerosols contribute to the energy balance through scattering and some absorption, but ozone is the primary atmospheric constituent noted for the direct absorption of high-energy solar photons [6].

Sources

1. [5] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature > The Passage of Solar Radiation through the Atmosphere > p. 68
2. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > ozone depletion > p. 11
3. [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > Ozonosphere > p. 276
4. [8] https://www.epa.gov/ozone-layer-protection/basic-ozone-layer-science
5. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Structure of the Atmosphere > p. 8
6. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 21: Horizontal Distribution of Temperature > Transparency of Atmosphere > p. 283
7. [6] https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20220008164/downloads/BCarlsonNatRevEarthEnvironScatteringAccepted.pdf