» Unusual hole in the ozone layer opens over the North Pole «
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Scientists exploiting data from the Sentinel-5P satellite have noticed a sharp reduction in ozone concentrations in the Arctic. Unusual atmospheric conditions, including freezing temperatures in the stratosphere, have led to ozone levels plummeting, causing a hole in the ozone layer. The ozone layer is a protective layer of gas in the stratosphere that shields life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation., which is associated with skin cancer and cataracts, as well as other environmental problems.
The 'ozone hole' (hole) most referenced is the hole over Antarctica, which forms each year during the fall. In the last weeks, scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have noted the strong ozone depletion in the boreal polar regions (near the north pole). Using satellite data from the Tropomi sensor mounted on the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite, they have been able to monitor the formation of this hole.. In the past, small holes have been seen in the ozone layer at the North Pole, but this year's depletion in the Arctic is much higher compared to previous years.
Diego Loyola, of the German Aerospace Center, comment: “The hole in the ozone layer that we see in the Arctic this year has a maximum extent of ~ 1 million square kilometers. This is small compared to the Antarctic hole (polo shirt), which can reach a size of about 20 a 25 million square kilometers with a normal duration of about 3 a 4 months”.
Although both poles suffer from ozone losses during the winter, ozone depletion in the Arctic tends to be significantly less than in the Antarctic. The ozone hole is driven by extremely cold temperatures (below -80°C), Sun light, wind fields and substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). Arctic temperatures don't usually drop as low as in Antarctica. But nevertheless, this year, powerful winds flowing around the North Pole trapped cold air inside what is known as the 'polar vortex', a circular eddy of stratospheric winds. At the end of the polar winter, the first sunlight over the North Pole initiated this unusually strong ozone depletion, causing hole formation. But nevertheless, its size is still small compared to what can usually be seen in the southern hemisphere.
Diego Loyoa says: "From the 14 of March, ozone plumes over the Arctic have decreased to what is normally considered 'hole levels in the ozone layer', that are less than 220 Dobson units. We expect the hole to close again in mid-April 2020.". Claus Zehner, ESA Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission manager, add: “The Tropomi total ozone measurements are extending Europe's capacity for continuous global ozone monitoring from space since 1995. Right now, We haven't seen ozone holes of this size form in more than the Arctic."
In the scientific evaluation of 2018 ozone depletion, data show that the ozone layer in parts of the stratosphere has recovered at a rate of 1 a 3% per decade since 2000. At these projected rates, northern hemisphere and mid-latitude ozone are forecast torecover around 2030, followed by the southern hemispherearound the 2050 and thepolar regions for 2060. The Tropomi instrument on the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite is capable of measuring a number of trace gases, including aerosol and cloud properties with global daily frequency coverage.
Given the importance of monitoring air quality and the global distribution of ozone, upcoming Copernicus Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions will monitor key air quality trace gases, stratospheric ozone and aerosols. As part of the Copernicus program of the European Union, missions will provide information on air quality, solar radiation and climate monitoring.
source: ESA/DLR/BIRA / Copernicus Sentinel-5P