Posted on 09/17/2003 10:31:26 AM PDT by cogitator
Antarctic Ozone Hole Roars Back
Measurements over and near Antarctica show that ozone is decreasing more rapidly this year than in previous years and that the size of the ozone hole is now as large as the all time record size of 28 million sq. km during September 2000. This is in stark contrast to the ozone hole last year when it was the smallest in more than a decade after splitting in two during late September.
In recent years, the ozone hole is at or near its maximum size during mid-September, with the maximum sometimes reached in late September. It cannot be predicted with certainty whether the ozone hole will continue to grow during the next few weeks.
Recent variations in size, depth and persistence of the ozone hole are due to year-to-year changes in meteorological conditions in the lower stratosphere over Antarctica, rather than changes in the amount of ozone depleting chemicals present in the ozone layer.
The use of ozone depleting chemicals is presently being controlled through the enforcement of international agreements. Measurements show that most of these chemicals are decreasing in the lower atmosphere and they appear to have reached their peak in the critically important ozone layer in the stratosphere.
There is a delay in the cleansing of these chemicals from the ozone layer, and it is expected to require decades before the stratosphere returns to pre-ozone hole conditions. Complete recovery of the ozone layer will require continuing diligence with the enforcement of the international agreements.
In recognition of the importance of international co-operation on environmental issues and to commemorate the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, 16 September has been designated by the United Nations as International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
On this occasion, Prof. G.O.P. Obasi, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization urged all nations to pursue their efforts in the monitoring of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and in the implementation of the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol and Amendments on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Actually not; the article notes that improvements are being measured. It just takes time for the Earth system to react to them.
This is caused by the low amount of sunlight in Anartica during its winter, since sunlight causes oxygen to ionize into ozone.
This has nothing to do with CFC's or Freon, but a lot to do with sunlight.
You are incorrect on this subject. The "ozone hole" refers to drastically lowered ozone concentrations in the Antarctic stratosphere above the winter polar vortex, due to the reactions of chlorine with ozone that are catalytically enhanced on ice crystals in polar clouds.
If you would really like to "get science", I recommend this outstanding Web site on the subject:
The Ozone Hole Tour. Part 3, "The Science of the Ozone Hole", will be of particular interest to you.
I'm not sure what you're looking for. If you want to see what the measurements of the ozone layer (in Dobson units) looked like before the impact of CFCs began to take effect, here's the data:
This is from The History Behind the Ozone Hole
That probably depends on what kind of data he has. The lowest concentrations don't go any lower, but the area of decreased ozone concentration is what is assessed in terms of ozone hole "growth" or "shrinkage".
Now there is a very strong correlation between volvanic avtivity and ozone thinning in the respective hemisphere, particularly if the valvanoes in question are very active and generate a lot of chlorine. Measurable ozone thinning in the north did occurr, for example, after the very large Mt Pinatubo eruption. It just happens that the most active volcanoe in the world is Mt Erabus in, you guessed it, Antarctica. It's been more or less continuously erupting for decades.
In the news this morning was the note that American pupils rank 15th in industrialized societies for ability in the 3 Rs, Reading, Math, and Science. But we're up to date with PC and dating protocol. Looks like American pre-eminence in the world is drawing to an end; that type of social evolution is usually concluded with a sudden overruning and complete destruction of the society.
Ozone, eh? That's the stuff that is created by sunshine isn't it?
Antarctica is due to receive some sunshine now after having it on backorder for six months.
Odd how this "hole" shows up more during the long Antarctic night.
Look, it's obvious:
1. All news about the ecology is bad news.
2. All bad news about the ecology is caused by the rich Republicans.
3. We've got to raise taxes before the ecology gets even with us.
Why do you push this B.S.? Try reading "The Holes in the Ozone Scare."
So I guess getting rid of all that R12 was just a big waste of time?
All the bogus & scary "Reefer Madness" research can be traced to cloaked industry sponsorship.
Why do you push this B.S.? Try reading "The Holes in the Ozone Scare."
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