Ozone is a naturally occurring oxygen compound that forms in the upper atmosphere of the Earth. The natural type of stratospheric ozone is formed when ultraviolet radiation from the sun interacts with oxygen molecules in the atmosphere. Ozone acts like a sunscreen, protecting the earth’s surface from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Unfortunately, chlorine and bromine produced by human activities erode the ozone layer. As a result, when the sun appears over Antarctica after winter, its radiation triggers the erosion of ice in the region. (Read also; Lost, This Antarctic Penguin Swims 3,000km to New Zealand )
“This is a huge ozone hole because of cooler-than-average 2021 stratospheric conditions,” said Paul Newman, Chief Scientist for Earth Sciences at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. (Read also; How to Survive at the South Pole version of the Citizens Living in Antarctica )
Ozone depletion in Antarctica is monitored by three satellites operated by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The three satellites are Aura, Suomi-NPP and NOAA-20. NASA detected a hole in the ozone layer in Antarctica starting in mid-October. The ozone layer hole in Antarctica is caused by global warming.
The scientists called on countries to comply with the 1987 Montreal Protocol to limit the use of ozone-depleting substances. Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of the European Union’s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, told Space.com that if the Montreal Protocol is followed, the ozone layer will recover by 2060, it could even take up to 2070.
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