- In August 2021 and 2022, the ozone hole was almost non-existent and did not increase significantly until the end of August
- In contrast, in 2023, data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show that the ozone hole grew much earlier and is expected to grow rapidly ahead of schedule.
- The growth rate of the crater appears to be comparable to the 2000 record year in this respect
- More important information can be found on the Onet homepage
The Antarctic ozone hole appeared earlier than usual
The ozone layer (ozone) is a layer with an increased concentration of ozone, located in the stratosphere at an altitude of 15 to 30 km – with the highest concentration of this gas (up to 15 parts per million) occurring approximately 32 km above the Earth’s surface. Surface.
The ozone layer is of great importance to life on Earth, especially to organisms living on Earth – it protects against harmful ultraviolet rays of type C and partly of type B. By absorbing ultraviolet rays, the temperature of the ozone layer rises. Ozone molecules decompose into ordinary diatomic oxygen when they react with molecules containing nitrogen, hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Some ozone-destroying substances occur naturally, but man-made compounds such as CFCs in large quantities have further depleted the ozone layer – the ozone hole.
In the 1970s and 1980s, scientists discovered a hole in the radiation-shielding ozone layer over Earth’s south pole. ODS can work after being lifted into the stratosphere. Banning them has reduced the problem – the ozone layer is recovering, although seasonal differences in the size of the ozone hole are still observed according to the seasons. Ozone levels are expected to reach values of the 80s by 2066.
The volcano seems to be to blame
The fossa usually grows from August to October (during spring in the southern hemisphere) and reaches its largest size between mid-September and mid-October.
In August 2021 and 2022, the ozone hole was practically non-existent Until the end of August it had not increased significantly. In contrast, in 2023, data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service show that the ozone hole grew much earlier and is expected to grow rapidly ahead of schedule. The growth rate of the crater appears to be comparable to the 2000 record year in this respect.
According to experts, this is not the fault of man, but the result of the emission of water vapor, That entered the stratosphere after the January 2022 eruption of the Hongga Tonga-Hung Haapai volcano, which was the largest natural eruption on Earth in more than 100 years.
The energy released by the submarine eruption in the Pacific Ocean was equivalent to a total of 20 megatons of TNT in five explosions, the largest being 15 megatons.
Dr. Martin Joker, a lecturer at the University of New South Wales, told The Guardian and New Scientist that in addition to massive amounts of ash and gases, the explosion introduced huge amounts of seawater (an estimated 150 million tons) into the atmosphere.
According to experts, excess water vapor may contribute to the deterioration of the ozone layer in the next few years – this scenario seems to be materializing. The ice crystals formed from the steam may be the substrate for the reaction of ozone with the chemicals that destroy it.
As Dr. Joker pointed out, an exceptionally large ozone hole could make both the land of Antarctica and the surrounding seas warmer. Especially since the amount of reflective ice decreased and the area of light-absorbing deep blue water increased. Ice melt may accelerate.
As noted by Joker, other effects of the eruption of the Tonga volcano include higher than normal temperatures in many parts of the world. This effect adds to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, but should subside within a decade.
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