• UGI USER
  • Nov 26, 2023
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ANTARCTICA’S OZONE HOLE EXPANSION: A MID-SPRING SHIFT

Why in the News?

  • Recent research by Annika Seppilä and others analyzed monthly and daily ozone changes from 2001 to 2022.
  • Data exclusion for 2002 and 2019 revealed a persistent ozone reduction of 26% in the core of the ozone hole since 2004.
  • Dynamical changes in the mesosphere, the atmospheric layer above the stratosphere, are potentially driving this reduction.
 Source: Planet Aid

Ozone Trends in Mid-Spring (October)

  • The core of the Antarctic ozone in mid-spring has experienced a substantial 26% reduction since 2004.
  • Contrary to previous expectations, this reduction challenges reported recovery trends in total ozone.
  • Recovery trends, however, still persist in early spring (September), showcasing a complex ozone dynamic.

 Montreal Protocol and Ozone Recovery

  • The Montreal Protocol, initiated in 1987, successfully banned the production of controlled ozone-depleting substances.
  • Despite its historical success, recent years (2020-2022) have seen the reappearance of large and long-lived ozone holes over Antarctica in mid-spring.

Ongoing Challenges and Importance of Monitoring

  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the ozone layer are crucial due to Earth’s changing climatic conditions.
  • Understanding ozone variability remains of utmost importance, given the significant role Antarctic stratospheric ozone plays in Southern Hemisphere climate variability.

Southern Hemisphere Atmosphere Impact

  • The findings suggest that alterations in the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere contribute to a sustained Antarctic ozone hole.

The study emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of the atmospheric dynamics influencing ozone patterns in the region.