Why is ozone layer important

The formation of the ozone hole is still expected to be an annual spring event. Its size and depth are governed to a large degree by the meteorological conditions particular for the year. As of the first week of August , the ozone hole reappeared and is rapidly growing and has extended to 23 million square kilometers on 13 September which is above the average since the mid s.

The lowest ozone value in the during this seasons was around DU. The hole fluctuates in size annually and it usually reaches its largest area during the coldest months in the southern hemisphere, from late September to early October. Those observations are being combined with numerical modelling by different organizations and institutions NASA , the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service implemented by ECMWF , ECCC , KNMI and others to provide near -real time information and analyses on the ozone levels at different parts of the stratosphere, the location and dimensions of the ozone depleted area.

In , there were exceptionally large ozone holes over the Antarctic and Arctic, reflecting extreme meteorological conditions. Specific dynamic conditions in the stratosphere in led to the smallest Antarctic ozone hole since its discovery.

This shows the need for continued vigilance and observations. The theme for this year is Montreal Protocol — keeping us, our food and vaccines cool. Ozone depleting substances ODS are also greenhouse gases GHG and their abundance in atmosphere over the years has made an important contribution to the radiative forcing of climate.

While ODS concentrations are expected to keep decreasing, the concentrations of long-lived greenhouse gases have been increasing. The distribution and amount of stratospheric ozone depends on temperature and circulation, so that changes in climate will affect the distribution of ozone. Long-lived greenhouse gases warm the troposphere, but cool the stratosphere, leading to changes of the global circulation, affecting the stability of the polar winter vortices, and changing weather patterns.

Therefore, the future evolution of the ozone layer will be influenced by the concentrations of these long-lived greenhouse gases, and by climate change. The Montreal Protocol has led to very significant avoided warming and the Kigali amendment which regulates the hydrofluorocarbons HFCs , CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons HCFCs replacement gases, adds a further layer of important climate protection.

The avoided ultraviolet radiation and climate change also have co-benefits for plants and their capacity to store carbon through photosynthesis. Some recent scientific findings point that the ozone depletion in the Arctic polar vortex could intensify by the end of the century unless global greenhouse gases are rapidly and systematically reduced.

In the future, this could also mean more UV radiation exposure in Europe, North America and Asia when parts of the polar vortex drift south. By Vishal S. Representational Image. Government launches initiative to mitigate impact of gases on ozone layer. Refrigerator coolants contribute to ozone depletion: NASA. NASA launches deep space solar monitoring satellite.

Ozone layer on track to recovery: UN. Surface ozone pollution in India killing crops: Study. Banned substance still depleting ozone layer: NASA. UN scientists: Ozone layer no longer disappearing. For Breaking News and Instant Updates. Allow Notifications. You have already subscribed. Read more about: ozone nature environment. Russian President Putin likely to visit India on December 6.

Click to comments. Notification Settings X Time Settings. Clear My notification inbox. The ozone layer has slowly recovered as people, businesses, and governments work to control such pollution.

Million to One Compared to other gases in the atmosphere, ozone is pretty rare. According to NOAA, there are only about three molecules of ozone for every ten million molecules of air. When released through a small opening, the liquid becomes a spray or foam. Some CFCs have destructive effects on the ozone layer. Gas molecules are in constant, random motion.

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