Posted on 11/20/2003 3:59:29 PM PST by Libloather
U.N.: Seasonal Ozone Hole Disappeared
Thu Nov 20, 2:45 PM ET
GENEVA - The seasonal "ozone hole" over the South Pole has disappeared again after reaching record size earlier this year, U.N. officials said Thursday.
The hole is a thinner-than-usual area in the protective layer of gas high up in the Earth's atmosphere. It has been forming in the extremely low temperatures that mark the end of Antarctic winter every year since the mid-1980s, largely due to chemical pollution.
This year, the hole peaked at 10.81 million square miles in mid-September — matching the record size set three years ago.
Scientists have said the phenomenon results from destruction of the gas in the atmosphere by chemical compounds such as chlorofluorocarbons released in some aerosols and refrigerants. The hole refills with surrounding ozone-rich air as temperatures rise.
In addition to its record size, researchers said this year's ozone depletion also persisted longer.
In October, researchers said the conditions raised concerns about more harmful UV radiation reaching Earth.
"The ozone hole size and persistence have developed similarly to the year 2000, with an early rapid growth observed during August, a record size observed in September and finally its disappearance in mid-November," said a statement by the World Meteorological Organization.
The use of chlorofluorocarbons has been curbed under a global accord and levels of the chemicals in the atmosphere have been declining. But scientists predict it will take about 50 years for the ozone hole to stop forming.
The lack of ozone can let harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun reach the Earth's surface, causing skin cancer and cataracts, as well as destroying tiny plants and organisms at the beginning of the food chain.
Brit Hume started his show by saying "1/3 of the expected 100,000 protesters showed up today in London".
Who do you think was telling the truth?
The use of chlorofluorocarbons has been curbed under a global accord and levels of the chemicals in the atmosphere have been declining
There is no evidence of this – many places are increasing the use and it was predicted that the levels in the upper atmosphere may continue to increase.
The lack of ozone can let harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun reach the Earth's surface, causing skin cancer and cataracts, as well as destroying tiny plants and organisms at the beginning of the food chain.
Several non facts rolled up in this one. First, there is always some UV that reaches the surface anyway. Next, the only place that has had any record of more UV is at extreme polar attitudes.
Many chlorofluorocarbons continue to be used in the USA only some have been outlawed.
The idea that chlorofluorocarbons cause the ozone hole is a theory only – it has not been proved in any scientific way. There is a correlation with cold upper atmosphere temperatures and the ozone hole – and despite what you read in the news there is good evidence that the upper atmosphere is cooling and that could be the cause of the bigger longer lasting ozone hole. See : http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/MSU/msusci.html
This link shows the only 'global' temperatures collected by anyone. The above work is by NASA scientists and show the cooling that is ignored by the trust and parrot press.
There is also the problem that the ozone hole data fails to span 10 or more solar cycles – something you would want before jumping to any conclusions IF you were a real scientist.
Please understand there is a big difference between science and belief - a chlorofluorocarbons caused ozone hole is a belief and not science.
My understanding is that the first time anyone actually measured the ozone concentration in the Antarctic atmosphere during winter was the early 1980's. My guess is the ozone hole has been around for a lot longer than the 1980's.
Correct, there could be a cycle of ozone holes that is related to solar cycles, one could only tell if you wait for several solar cycles to pass.
There is also the problem that people think of this a science anyway as it is an open system where there are any number of uncontrolled variables. It is a theory that arrived at just about the same time as some patents expired. The original theory was based on methane – the biggest source of which is termite mounds in the rain forest.
Non of this means that it is or isn't true – but no one really has a clue as to what the truth is here.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.
I guess we need a HUGE tube of Clearsil. We load it on a
C-5.
We then send it to the South Pole where Algore will squeeze the stuff into the ozone hole thus curing the problem and allowing fellow posters to buy their "forth" SUV, (or is it "Go forth" in my SUV!)
Convection and diffusion.
The ozone hole was first discovered due to ground-based measurements made by the British Antarctic Survey at Halley Bay, Antarctica; the measurements commenced in the 1950s. The decline in ozone was noted first here; instrumental observations from satellites had been corrected because the occurrence of the hole was first thought to be an instrumental anomaly.
The figure below shows the record of ozone measurements in October at Halley Bay.
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