25th Anniversary of Ozone Hole Discovery
07.05.2010 - Atmosphere & Space, Antarctic
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has commemorated the 25th anniversary of its discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica. This includes a reflection from one of the original scientsits to have discovered it.
In 1985, the journal Nature reported on the observations of large losses of ozone over Antarctica. That discovery showed that the accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems and industrial solvents depleting the protective layer of ozone around the Earth.
Alerted by the environmental threat, action by governments led to the 1987 Montreal Protocol and its amendments to stop the production and consumption of CFCs, halons and carbon tetrachloride by 2000, and of methyl chloroform by 2005. The protocol has been signed by all members of the United Nations.
Scientists believe that ozone levels over Antarctica will return to their 1950s levels by about 2080.
