Skip to content

Climate

NASA discovers an alarming anomaly in ozone depletion

by Dave Collier 03 Oct 2011
NASA discovers an alarming anomaly in ozone depletion

Image Credit: © NASA/JPL-Caltech; Arctic Ozone Depletion in 2011

Left: Ozone in Earth's stratosphere at an altitude of approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) in mid-March 2011, near the peak of the 2011 Arctic ozone loss. Red colors represent high levels of ozone, while purple and grey colors (over the north polar region) represent very small ozone amounts. Right: chlorine monoxide - the primary agent of chemical ozone destruction in the cold polar lower stratosphere - for the same day and altitude. Light blue and green colors represent small amounts of chlorine monoxide, while dark blue and black colors represent very large chlorine monoxide amounts. The white line marks the area within which the chemical ozone destruction took place

As early as the 1970's scientists had been warning the world of the dangers of man-made chlorine compounds and their effects on the ozone layer but it wasn't until 1989 that the Montreal Protocol brought about international action to reduce the damage for which we had been responsible.

The ozone layer is an essential component of a life-supporting planet Earth, protecting life from potentially harmful UV radiation and its adverse effects.

The depletion of this protective barrier is mainly due to our use of halogenated ozone depleting substances such as CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons). Despite a general reduction in CFC emissions, the damage will stay with us for a considerable time and it is suggested that we may not see a recovery of the ozone layer in the Antarctic until after 2050.

As the success of the Montreal Protocol is so important to the world, the levels are closely monitored and a recent NASA study has resulted in an alarming finding. They revealed that ozone depletion over the Arctic in 2011 was considerably higher than models predicted, more closely matching the extreme losses seen in the Antarctic.

The reason for the surprise is that normally the warmer temperatures of the Arctic reduce the production of the forms of chlorine necessary for reaction with the ozone molecules. This year saw an extended cold spell in the Arctic, giving man-made compounds a longer period when reactions with ozone were viable.

NASAs role in this study was key, and involved the use of CALIPSO and Aura. CALIPSO monitors cloud cover and other aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere, while Aura monitors the ozone layer and air quality.

The combination of data from these satellites and measurements from weather balloons and meteorological stations was the basis of this study and without these spacecraft this work may not have been possible. Gloria Manney, who led the study, commented that without this capability our ability to analyse and predict the effects of ozone loss will be significantly diminished.

Recent announcements from the American government reveal that NASA faces huge funding cuts and there is the possibility that research programmes, such as these, could be put at risk. Let's hope that financial difficulties don't put this important project to bed.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping