Skip to content

Climate

A worrying rate of ozone depletion is found above the Arctic

by Nikki Bruce 14 Mar 2011
A worrying rate of ozone depletion is found above the Arctic

The Potsdam Research Unit of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association (AWI), which is based in Germany has announced the findings of its latest research into the deterioration of the ozone above the Arctic. The data comes from 30 ozone sounding stations which are located throughout the Arctic and Subarctic and were put there to monitor the depletion of the ozone layer.

The ozone is destroyed when products from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are converted into aggressive substances, this happens when they come into contact with extremely cold conditions and there has long been a link between climate change and the loss of the ozone.

Although the relationship between the depletion of the ozone and climate change hasn't been clearly established yet, it is believed that because the concentrations of greenhouse gases are building up on the lower levels of the Earth"s atmosphere (therefore trapping the heat within them too) then less heat radiation reaches the higher stratosphere which in turn increases the cooling effect there.

The Arctic in particular appears to suffer the highest level of ozone depletion due to the already harsh winters becoming even colder. The current winter, which is what the readings from the sounding stations are based upon, is a continuation of the increasing severity of winter conditions and has provided some of the most shocking results to date.

The sounding stations have found that in the space of a few weeks a large section of the ozone was destroyed at an unusually rapid pace. Experts believe that because the depletion was so sudden that it is likely to continue over the next few months.

This has immediate effects for everyone, and as a result of this it has been suggested that focus should be directed towards sufficient UV protection from as early as spring this year.

The findings aren't totally damning however, as the scientists behind them assure us that the damage to the ozone above the Arctic will eventually recover. This is due to the environmental policies which have been put in place for its preservation.


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