Man-made ozone hole near the South Pole shrinks according to scientists because of the warm upper air this September and October. Image © NASA Ozonewatch
The U.S. space agency says on average the ozone hole above the Antarctica, covers 8.1 million square miles (20.9 million sq. kilometres) this season, which is 6 per cent smaller than the average since 1990.
Ozone shields Earth from ultraviolet radiation.
Paul A. Newman NASA chief atmospheric scientist says:
“The main reason for this year’s result is local weather. The upper air has been warmer than normal, which led to fewer polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds are where ozone is destroyed by chlorine and bromine, which come from man-made products.”
James Butler, director of the global monitoring division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Lab, added:
“Sort of encouraging news. It’s not getting worse. That’s a good sign.”
read more Telegraph
source U.S. space agency
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