 |
|
NASA Study Finds Clock Ticking Slower On Ozone Hole Recovery
June 30, 2006The Antarctic ozone hole's recovery is running late. According to a new NASA study, the full return of the protective ozone over the South Pole will take nearly 20 years longer than scientists previously expected.
Scientists from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., have developed a new tool, a math-based computer model, to better predict when the ozone hole will recover.
The Antarctic ozone hole is a massive loss of ozone high in the atmosphere (the stratosphere) that occurs each spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The ozone hole is caused by chlorine and bromine gases in the stratosphere that destroy ozone. These gases come from human-produced chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons, otherwise called CFCs.
The ozone layer blocks 90-99 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation from making contact with Earth. That harmful radiation can cause skin cancer, genetic damage, and eye damage, and harm marine life.
For the first time, a model combines estimates of future Antarctic chlorine and bromine levels based on current amounts as captured from NASA satellite observations, NOAA ground-level observations, NCAR airplane-based observations, with likely future emissions, the time it takes for the transport of those emissions into the Antarctic stratosphere, and assessments of future weather patterns over Antarctica.
The model accurately reproduces the ozone hole area in the Antarctic stratosphere over the past 27 years. Using the model, the researchers predict that the ozone hole will recover in 2068, not in 2050 as currently believed.
"The Antarctic ozone hole is the poster child of ozone loss in our atmosphere," said author Paul Newman, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. And lead author of the study. "Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the U.S., the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how they will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area."
International agreements like the Montreal Protocol have banned the production of most chemicals that destroy ozone. But the researchers show that the ozone hole has not started to shrink a lot as a result. The scientists predict the ozone hole will not start shrinking a lot until 2018. By that year, the ozone hole's recovery will make better time.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
The ozone layer blocks 90-99 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation from making contact with Earth. That harmful radiation can cause skin cancer, genetic damage, and eye damage, and harm marine life.
For the first time, a model combines estimates of future Antarctic chlorine and bromine levels based on current amounts as captured from NASA satellite observations, NOAA ground-level observations, NCAR airplane-based observations, with likely future emissions, the time it takes for the transport of those emissions into the Antarctic stratosphere, and assessments of future weather patterns over Antarctica.
The model accurately reproduces the ozone hole area in the Antarctic stratosphere over the past 27 years. Using the model, the researchers predict that the ozone hole will recover in 2068, not in 2050 as currently believed.
"The Antarctic ozone hole is the poster child of ozone loss in our atmosphere," said author Paul Newman, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. And lead author of the study. "Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the U.S., the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how they will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area."
International agreements like the Montreal Protocol have banned the production of most chemicals that destroy ozone. But the researchers show that the ozone hole has not started to shrink a lot as a result. The scientists predict the ozone hole will not start shrinking a lot until 2018. By that year, the ozone hole's recovery will make better time.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Ozone Hole Current Events and Ozone Hole News RSSNew simulation shows consequences of a world without Earth's natural sunscreen
Nearly two-thirds of Earth's ozone is gone -- not just over the poles, but everywhere. The infamous ozone hole over Antarctica, first discovered in the 1980s, is a year-round fixture, with a twin over the North Pole. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation falling on mid-latitude cities like Washington, D.C., is strong enough to cause sunburn in just five minutes.
2008 ozone hole larger than last year
The 2008 ozone hole - a thinning in the ozone layer over Antarctica - is larger both in size and ozone loss than 2007 but is not as large as 2006.
Drier, warmer springs in US Southwest stem from human-caused changes in winds
Human-driven changes in the westerly winds are bringing hotter and drier springs to the American Southwest, according to new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.
Computer models show major climate shift as a result of closing ozone hole
A new study led by Columbia University researchers has found that the closing of the ozone hole, which is projected to occur sometime in the second half of the 21st century, may significantly affect climate change in the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore, the global climate.
Climate Models Overheat Antarctica, New Study Finds
Computer analyses of global climate have consistently overstated warming in Antarctica, concludes new research by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Ohio State University.
Ozone hole recovery may reshape southern hemisphere climate change
A full recovery of the stratospheric ozone hole could modify climate change in the Southern Hemisphere and even amplify Antarctic warming, according to scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.
2007 ozone hole 'smaller than usual'
The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk 30 percent as compared to last year's record size. According to measurements made by ESA's Envisat satellite, this year's ozone loss peaked at 27.7 million tonnes, compared to the 2006 record ozone loss of 40 million tonnes.
NASA keeps eye on ozone layer amid Montreal Protocol's success
NASA scientists will join researchers from around the world to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to reduce the hole in Earth's protective ozone layer.
By ice floe to the North Pole
At the end of August, an unusual expedition under Russian leadership will leave for the Arctic Ocean. One of the participants is Jürgen Graeser of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, one of the research centres of the Helmholtz Association.
B12 Is Also an Essential Vitamin for Marine Life
B12 - an essential vitamin for land-dwelling animals, including humans - also turns out to be an essential ingredient for growing marine plants that are critical to the ocean food web and Earth's climate, scientists have found.
More Ozone Hole Current Events and Ozone Hole News Articles
 |
Hole in the Ozone Bobby Flurie (Primary Contributor) |
|
The Ozone Hole (New True Bks) by Darlene R. Stille (Author) Studies the important role of atmospheric ozone in protecting the Earth, and tells how man-made chemicals are causing worrisome holes in the polar ozone layers. | |
 |
The Hole In The Ozone Is Directly Related To The Hole In Your Head Mug by Design a Product LLC Text on mug: The Hole In The Ozone Is Directly Related To The Hole In Your Head * Custom coffee mugs are dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe. Colors are permanently baked into the mug''s surface. * If you have new ideas or need help selecting text for your custom coffee mugs please contact us. * Size: 11 oz. capacity ceramic coffee mug. |
 |
Forzieri Hole in The Ozone Silk Tie Blue Ground by Forzieri Forzieri silk ties encompass classic Italian elegance for a refined man. Made in Italy. |
|
I Had a Dream I Was Falling Through a Hole in the Ozone Layer Radio Edit of the track "I had a dream I was falling through a hole in the ozone layer" | |
 |
Filbur# FC-3097 Pleatco# PDO40-4 Unicel# C-5404 Desc: Ozone 40 w/concentric holes Filter Cartridge for Swimming Pool by Specialty Pool Products Outside Diameter: 5 1/2" Length: 17" Top: 1 15/16 +12 conc holes Bottom: 2 15/16" |
![Hole in the Sky:Ozone Crisis [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21CXP9XGK0L._SL160_.jpg) |
Hole in the Sky:Ozone Crisis [VHS] Starring: CNN Video |
 |
Ozone Holes Alan Tower (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Ozone Hole (Earth SOS) by Sally Morgan (Author), Jenny Vaughan (Author) Explores various concerns about environmental issues. |
|
Climate Research : Ozone Hole and Climate Models (32 minute colour VHS video) (NTSC video) by Spektrum Videothek Produced in Germany. In English. "...explains the present state of knowledge...open questions in climate research are discussed...uses animation...takes into consideration the role of man and natural factors..." |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |