Articles tagged with Ozone Depletion
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A new study by MIT confirms the Antarctic ozone layer is healing, with high statistical confidence that reductions in CFCs are the primary cause. The research uses fingerprinting to isolate the anthropogenic signal and rule out natural variability.
Research shows that oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin contributes to high eight-hour ozone concentrations frequently exceeding EPA health standards during summer months. The study uses data from a 2019 field survey to confirm the impact of drilling, flaring, and other activities on ozone levels.
Researchers found that wildfire-induced aerosols can lead to both ozone depletion and increase at different atmospheric layers, with the middle stratosphere experiencing an increase in ozone concentrations. This complex interplay buffers approximately 40% of ozone depletion observed in the lower stratosphere.
The launch of thousands of satellites may jeopardize the recovery of the ozone hole. Aluminum oxides, formed when old satellites burn up in Earth's atmosphere, destroy stratospheric ozone. A new study estimates that by 2027, every year will release around 912 metric tons of aluminum into space.
A new study reveals significant declines in atmospheric levels of potent ozone-depleting substances and harmful greenhouse gases, confirming the success of the Montreal Protocol. The findings show a notable reduction in HCFCs, which are also contributing to global warming.
The University of Washington's STRIVE project aims to understand the troposphere and stratosphere, where the ozone layer resides, and their interface. This will help monitor changes in the ozone layer, air quality, and climate processes.
A recent study found that the Antarctic ozone hole is not only larger in area but also deeper throughout most of spring. The researchers believe changes in air arriving at the polar vortex above Antarctica are contributing to the growth of the ozone hole, which may be caused by factors beyond just CFCs.
The study found that the eruption changed the chemistry and dynamics of the stratosphere, leading to unprecedented losses in the ozone layer. The injection of water vapor and sulfur dioxide increased sulfate aerosols, which drove changes in temperature and circulation, resulting in decreased ozone levels in the Southern Hemisphere.
A team from the University of Illinois used solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) to measure the effects of elevated ozone on soybean plants, finding a 36% decrease in SIF during the late growing season. The study confirms that decreased SIF is a sign of stress and provides a non-invasive way to study photosynthesis.
A new MIT study reveals that smoke particles from Australian wildfires can trigger chemical reactions that erode the protective ozone layer. The research found a 3-5% depletion of total ozone at mid-latitudes and widened the Antarctic ozone hole by 10% in 2020.
Recent research reveals that ozone depletion leads to Antarctic upper-stratospheric warming during winter months, with temperatures rising significantly since the 1970s. The study highlights the importance of understanding the coupling between atmospheric chemistry and climate in the southern upper stratosphere.
Fossil pollen contains compounds that function like sunscreen, protecting plants from UV-B radiation. The discovery supports the theory of a collapse of the Earth's ozone layer contributing to the end-Permian mass extinction event.
Researchers at Rutgers University simulated climate change's impact on allergenic pollens, finding significant increases in airborne pollen loads by 2050. The study predicts earlier start times and longer durations for pollen seasons across the US, with notable regional shifts.
A team of international researchers used aurora data to assess the impact of radiation-belt electrons on the ozone layer. They found a localized ozone hole in the mesosphere, about 400 km wide, directly below isolated proton auroras, with up to 10-60% of ozone destroyed.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that Australian bushfires contributed to the highest recorded temperature in the lower stratosphere since the early 1990s. The smoke aerosols emitted by the fires led to a significant increase in stratospheric temperatures, with a modelled temperature spike of around 0.65 degrees Celsius.
Researchers developed a new Integrated Ozone Depletion metric to measure ozone-destroying substance impacts on the ozone layer. The IOD considers emission strength, atmospheric duration, and ozone destruction, providing a straightforward tool for evaluating ozone layer protection measures.
Researchers found a correlation between Arctic ozone depletion and extreme weather events in the Northern Hemisphere. Simulations suggest that reduced ozone levels contribute to warmer temperatures and droughts in central Europe, while wet conditions prevail in polar regions.
A large, all-season ozone hole has been detected over tropical regions, with an area seven times greater than the Antarctic ozone hole. The discovery highlights the need for further research on ozone depletion and its impact on human health and ecosystems.
Research reveals that ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere are weakening one of Earth's main cooling mechanisms, making it a significant greenhouse gas. The study found that increased ozone in the lower atmosphere caused 60% of the overall ozone-induced warming seen in Southern Ocean waters.
Researchers found a chemical link between wildfire smoke and ozone depletion, which may stall ozone recovery for years. The study discovered that the smoke from Australian wildfires in 2019-2020 depleted ozone by 1%, highlighting the potential impact of future, more frequent fires.
Scientists at the University of Missouri study photodissociation reactions on the quantum level, revealing strong quantum effects that challenge classical 'billiard-ball' models. The research could lead to a better understanding of atmospheric chemistry and develop new theoretical frameworks.
A new study from UC Berkeley suggests that copper in soil and seawater acts as a catalyst for producing two potent halocarbon compounds that destroy ozone. The compounds, methyl bromide and methyl chloride, are major contributors to stratospheric ozone depletion and have puzzled scientists for over 20 years.
A new CU Boulder study reveals that iodine from desert dust can decrease ozone air pollution but prolong greenhouse gas lifetimes. The finding has significant implications for air quality and climate, forcing researchers to re-evaluate how particles from land impact the atmosphere's chemistry.
Research led by the University of Bristol and Peking University has found that China is responsible for over half of the global increase in dichloromethane emissions since 2011. The chemical, used as a solvent in various industrial applications, poses a significant threat to ozone layer recovery.
The tropopause is rising at a steady pace since 1980 due to human-induced warming of the lower atmosphere. This trend continues even as stratospheric temperatures stabilize after ozone depletion efforts.
Researchers studied ozone depletion's impact on iodine concentrations in Antarctic ice cores, revealing a sharp reduction from 1975 to 2012. The decrease can be attributed to stratospheric ozone concentration loss, leading to increased UV radiation and altered geochemical cycles.
A new study finds that massive columns of smoke from a nuclear war would destroy much of the ozone layer over a 15-year period, with peak ozone loss averaging about 75% worldwide. This would lead to devastating effects on human health and food supplies, as well as terrestrial ecosystems.
A new study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research found that the Montreal Protocol will spare Americans from 443 million skin cancer cases and 63 million cataract cases through the end of this century. The treaty phased out ozone-destroying substances, resulting in reduced UV radiation and corresponding health benefits.
Scientists linked a record-breaking Arctic 'ozone hole' to unusually warm North Pacific sea surface temperatures. Weakened planetary wave activity and extreme cold led to severe ozone loss, suggesting present-day ozone-depleting substances still pose a threat.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered the physical mechanism behind icy plumes that precede severe thunderstorms and potentially deadly tornadoes. The study reveals a hydraulic jump phenomenon triggered by fluid obstacles in the atmosphere, leading to rapid water vapor injection into the stratosphere.
Researchers found that electron precipitation from northern lights causes local ozone layer depletions in the mesosphere, potentially impacting climate. The study provides insight into this phenomenon, known as pulsating aurorae, and highlights its significance for global climate change.
New study reveals climate change intensifies Arctic ozone depletion, putting Europe and North America at risk of increased UV radiation exposure. The expected recovery of the ozone layer may fail unless global greenhouse gases are rapidly reduced.
A new study shows that climate change is increasing ozone depletion over the Arctic, contrary to previous assumptions. The researchers found record-low polar vortex temperatures and highest ozone losses on record in 2020, driven by greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that the polar vortex plays a key role in Antarctic stratospheric ozone depletion. The research used ZSL-DOAS techniques to measure ozone depletion near the edge of the polar vortex, revealing a positive correlation between PV and total ozone columns.
A short-lived resurgence in CFC-11 emissions in eastern China will not delay the recovery of Earth's ozone layer, according to new research. The AGAGE network helped track down the origins of the new emissions, which were found to be largely coming from eastern China.
Materials chemists at UMass Amherst create a polymer tattoo on plant leaves to detect early ozone damage, which can reduce crop yields and threaten the food supply. The innovative method allows for frequent and long-term monitoring of cellular ozone damage in economically important crops.
A new study has identified major gaps in the international ozone treaty, which must be addressed to avert stronger climate change and serious risks to human health. The treaty's loopholes include unaccounted for CFC and HFC emissions, leakages from old air conditioners, and emissions of nitrous oxide from agriculture.
A new study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder has found that the international ozone treaty has stopped changes in Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation. The Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting chemicals, has driven recent reversals in these patterns.
Despite decreasing ozone concentrations in the air, plants' ozone uptake trends don't follow suit. FSU researchers tracked ozone uptake into plants over 10 years at 30 test sites and found that environmental factors like weather conditions have a greater impact on plant ozone dose than atmospheric ozone concentration.
A new study has quantified small levels of iodine in the stratosphere and links it to ozone layer decline. The research suggests that air pollution from the surface can trigger ozone destruction higher in the atmosphere.
A new study suggests that super volcanic eruptions could significantly impact ozone layer recovery, with estimated depletions ranging from 2.5% to 6.4%. The research used transport and chemistry-climate models to simulate the effects of super volcanoes on stratospheric ozone during different recovery periods.
A new report reveals that ozone-driven climate change is having far-reaching impacts on the Earth's ecosystems, from weather patterns to sea mammal populations. The study found that warmer oceans are benefiting some species, while others are declining due to changes in ocean productivity and acidification.
Analysis of Alpine ice shows tripled iodine levels since Second World War, partially balancing ozone production. Researchers now call for inclusion of iodine data in climate models to predict future environmental outcomes.
New NOAA study reveals unexpected increase in CFC-11 emissions, likely from new production sources in eastern Asia. This rise in emissions threatens the ozone layer recovery, with significant delays expected if remedied soon.
New research reveals that global fossil fuel emissions of hydrocarbons, particularly ethane and propane, have been significantly underestimated. These pollutants are harmful in large cities, forming ozone that directly links to increased mortality. The study calls for further investigation into methane emissions from natural gas sources.
Scientists confirm that a decline in chlorine levels resulting from the international ban on CFCs is leading to less ozone depletion in the Antarctic winter. The study found a 20% decrease in ozone loss from 2005 to 2016, with a steady annual decline of 0.8%.
Researchers found that volcanic eruptions can cause ozone depletion until 2070, despite declining levels of human-made CFCs. Natural sources of halogen gases from marine plankton and microalgae become important in the lower stratosphere after CFC concentrations decline.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that unregulated chemicals like dichloromethane could substantially delay the recovery of Antarctic ozone levels. If continued emissions trends persist, ozone depletion could be offsetting some of the future benefits of the Montreal Protocol.
Researchers have identified an aerosol, calcite, that can counter ozone loss while reflecting light and cooling the planet. The discovery aims to mitigate the risks of solar geoengineering by neutralizing sulfuric acid emissions.
The Antarctic ozone layer has shown significant signs of recovery since 2000, shrinking by over 4 million square kilometers. This decline is attributed to the decrease in atmospheric chlorine originating from chlorofluorocarbons, which were phased out due to international regulations.
A new study reports that the ozone hole over Antarctica is starting to 'heal' with a noticeable increase in ozone levels, following nearly three decades of depletion. The Montreal Protocol's phase-out of ozone-depleting substances has slowed the rate of decline and led to an identifiable ozone increase.
Researchers observe significant reduction in size of ozone hole since 2000, attributing it to decrease in atmospheric chlorine and bromine. The team's findings suggest the ozone layer is healing permanently by mid-century.
A new study by NOAA and CIRES scientists reveals that the US is responsible for 8% of global CCl4 emissions, with hotspots in the Gulf Coast region and Colorado. The findings contradict previous reports and highlight the need for further research to understand the source of excess emissions.
A new study reveals that ground-level ozone has been reducing crop yields of maize and soybeans by 5% and 10%, respectively, over the last 30 years. The researchers calculated an annual loss of $9 billion due to ozone damage, highlighting the need for upgraded emissions regulations.
The 2015 Antarctic ozone hole was the fourth largest on record, peaking at 28.2 million square kilometers, and formed later than usual due to unusually cold temperatures and weak dynamics in the stratosphere. The large size of this year's ozone hole will likely result in increases of harmful ultraviolet rays at Earth's surface.
A NASA study shows that widely used chemical coolants known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) contribute to ozone depletion. The study found that HFC emissions cause increased warming of the stratosphere, speeding up chemical reactions that destroy ozone molecules.
Scientists have identified a rapid increase in atmospheric concentrations of dichloromethane, a man-made substance contributing to ozone depletion. This discovery threatens the recovery of the Ozone Layer, which is still recovering from CFCs.
Research on ozone depletion reveals devastating effects on Southern Hemisphere weather, including increased incidence of floods, droughts, wildfires, and changes to tree growth rates and biodiversity in Antarctic lakes. Ozone hole impacts are also felt through changes in summer rainfall and wind patterns, posing risks to natural ecosys...
By 2050, cumulative exposure to ozone during the summer is expected to be high enough to damage vegetation globally. Ozone levels will remain below safe limits if greenhouse gas emissions peak in 2040, but may exceed safe limits if emissions continue to rise until 2100.
Research shows a recent increase in atmospheric hydrogen chloride, linked to ozone layer destruction, but experts say the Montreal Protocol is still on track for recovery. The study attributes the anomaly to temporary changes in atmospheric circulation, not rogue emissions.