Ozone Hole over Antarctica Slowly Recovering
18.11.2009 - Atmosphere & Space, Human Dimension, Other, Antarctic
In September 2009, the size of the ozone hole over the Earth'ssouthernmost continent reached its springtime peak. It was measured to bethe 10th largest on record, according to researchers from the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
However data suggests that the hole in the ozone layer has started shrinking as a result of international efforts to ban chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the 90s, albeit very slowly. Ozone - a pollutant at low heights but a shield from solar radiation in the atmosphere - was being eaten away by CFCs before the ban was put in place.
Another measurement is the amount of ozone in a column of air over South Pole Station. The lowest measured level of protective ozone there was 89 Dobson units in 1993. This September's level was the seventh lowest on record at 98 Dobson units.
While the ozone is recovering, at its current rate or recovery, we'll likely have to wait until 2060 before it returns to normal.
