What caused the ozone hole over Antarctica?
The Antarctic ozone hole forms during the Southern Hemisphere’s late winter as the returning Sun’s rays start ozone-depleting reactions. Cold winter temperatures persisting into the spring enable the ozone depletion process, which is why the “hole” forms over Antarctica.
When was the ozone hole over Antarctica discovered?
May 16, 1985
In the scientific journal Nature on May 16, 1985, three scientists from the British Antarctic Survey announce their detection of abnormally low levels of ozone over the South Pole.
Who discovered ozone hole over Antarctica?
In the mid-1980s, scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin opened the world’s eyes to a new phenomenon: “unanticipated and large decreases in stratospheric ozone levels over the Antarctic stations of Halley and Faraday,” which became known as the Antarctic ozone hole, writes Susan Solomon, the EAPS …
Why is losing ozone bad?
Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches Earth’s surface, which increases the rate of skin cancer, eye cataracts, and genetic and immune system damage.
How big was the ozone hole in 1985?
The maximum depth of the hole that year was 194 Dobson Units (DU)—not far below the previous historical low. For several years, the minimum concentrations stayed in the 190s, but then the minimums rapidly grew deeper: 173 DU in 1982, 154 in 1983, 124 in 1985.
Who found ozone layer?
Christian Friedrich Schönbein
Ozone is a naturally occurring substance which was first made in the laboratory in 1839 by German scientist Christian Friedrich Schönbein (1840a, 1840b). Schönbein was interest- ed in discovering the origin of the odour produced by certain chemical and electrical processes.
Does the US have ozone layer?
A new study out of Harvard University reveals that the protective stratospheric ozone layer above the central United States is vulnerable to erosion during the summer months from ozone-depleting chemical reactions, exposing people, livestock and crops to the harmful effects of UV radiation.