The “new” ozone hole is much larger than the Antarctic ozone hole
CREDIT: QING-BIN LU
Institute of Aesthetic Physics
WASHINGTON, July 5, 2022 – An ozone hole, seven times the size of the Antarctic ozone hole, is now located in the tropics and has existed since the 1980s, according to a Canadian researcher.
In Advance AIP, by AIP Publishing, Qing-Bin Lu, a scientist from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, reveals a large, full-season ozone hole – defined as an area of ozone loss 25% greater than that the atmosphere is undisturbed – in the lower stratosphere in the tropics is about the same depth as the famous Antarctic pit in spring, but its area is about seven times larger.
“The tropics cover half of the planet’s surface area and are home to about half of the world’s population,” Lu said. “The existence of a tropical ozone hole can cause great concern globally.
“Ozone layer depletion can lead to increased terrestrial UV radiation, which can increase the risk of skin cancer and cataracts in humans, as well as weaken the human immune system, reduce agricultural productivity and negatively affect sensitive aquatic organisms and ecosystems. “
Lu’s observation of the ozone hole surprised his colleagues in the scientific community, as it was not predicted by conventional photochemical models. His observational data fit well with the cosmic ray-directed electron response (CRE) model and clearly indicate the identical physical mechanism at work for both the Antarctic and tropical ozone holes.
For the polar ozone hole, about 80% of normal ozone values were found to be depleted at the center of the tropical ozone hole. Preliminary reports show that the extent of ozone depletion in equatorial regions has been and is endangering large populations, and the UV radiation associated with these regions is much greater than expected.
In the mid-1970s, atmospheric research showed that the ozone layer, which absorbs most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, could be degraded by industrial chemicals, mainly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole in 1985 confirmed the ozone depletion caused by CFCs. Although bans on such chemicals have helped slow ozone depletion, evidence for ozone depletion persists.
Lu said polar and tropical ozone holes play an important role in cooling and regulating the temperature of the stratosphere, reflecting the formation of three “temperature holes” in the global stratosphere. . He said the finding could prove crucial for better understanding global climate change.
Lu’s discovery builds on previous studies of the CRE-initiated ozone-depleting mechanism that he and his colleagues originally proposed about two decades ago.
“The current discovery calls for more careful studies of ozone depletion, changes in UV radiation, increased cancer risk, and other negative health effects and impacts,” said Lu. ecosystems in tropical regions”.
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The article “Observation of large and seasonal ozone losses in the tropics” by Qing-Bin Lu. The paper will appear in AIP Advances (DOI: 10.1063 / 5.0094629) on July 5, 2022. After that date, it can be accessed at http://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0094629.
ABOUT THE JOURNEY
Advance AIP is an open access journal that publishes in all areas of the physical sciences — applied, theoretical, and experimental. Coverage of Advance AIP making it an essential outlet for scientists in the physical sciences. See https://aip.scitation.org/journal/adv.
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JOURNEYS
Advance AIP
DOI
ARTICLE TITLE
Observe large and all-season ozone losses in the tropics
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
July 5, 2022
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