Hole in the Ozone Layer Opens

The ozone layer is depleting over the Arctic zone observed by the scientists from the German Aerospace Center. Earlier ozone depletion observed in the North Pole but, this time the depletion is quite strong and unusual. 

 According to the Tropomi instrument of Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite data, a heavy depletion of the ozone layer is above the arctic region is noticed. The European Space Agency explained, “Unusual atmospheric conditions, including freezing temperatures in the stratosphere, have led ozone levels to plummet – causing a ‘mini-hole’ in the ozone layer.”

According to the scientists, the extreme weather in the Arctic is the reason behind the ‘mini-hole’. Scientist expects that the hole will get filled by mid of April 2020.

What is the ozone layer?

The ozone layer is the protective layer of gases around the earth. The ozone layer protects life on the earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet rays are harmful to humans and the environment. The absence of an ozone layer can lead to skin cancer and cataracts, as well as other environmental issues.

Ozone layer around Earth

 

What German Aerospace Center (DLR) says? 

The Antarctic region has much heavy depletion of the ozone layer because the temperature in the south falls much lower than in the North. This depletion of the ozone layer in the region forms an ozone hole during the autumn season.

In past weeks, The Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite observed depletion in the ozone layer over the Arctic region. The northern polar regions are facing heavy depletion of the ozone over the northern polar regions. In the past years, the ozone hole spotted many times but this time the depletion of the layer is quite strong and large said scientists from the German Aerospace Center.

Diego Loyola, from the German Aerospace Center, comments, “The ozone hole we observe over the Arctic this year has a maximum extension of less than 1 million sq km. This is small compared to the Antarctic hole, which can reach a size of around 20 to 25 million sq km with a normal duration of around 3 to 4 months.”

Why Ozone hole appears?

The ozone hole appears in extremely cold temperatures (below -80°C), sunlight, wind fields and substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Arctic temperature is relatively higher than in Antarctica. But because of ‘polar vortex’, the North Pole trapped cold air within. Creating a whirlpool of stratospheric winds. 

 The first sunlight after the polar winters is comparatively strong this is because of the hole, the unusual depletion of the ozone layer.

What is the recovery rate of the ozone hole?

According to the 2018 Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion data, the ozone layer in the stratosphere recovers at a rate of 1-3% every ten years.

What is the Tropomi instrument in the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite?

The Tropomi instrument on the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite if for measuring several trace gases. It includes measurinf of aerosol and cloud properties with global coverage daily. The importance is given in monitoring air quality and global ozone distribution. The upcoming satellite missions, Copernicus Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions will monitor key air quality, trace gases, stratospheric ozone, and aerosols. 

The ozone hole is not at all related to the COVID-19 lockdown. The ozone hole occurs due to extreme temperatures. Scientists also said the ozone hole will get filled again in mid of April 2020.