Arctic Ozone at Record Low: Scandinavia is Toast

Damage to Arctic Ozone Layer Reaches Record High

Record depletion of Arctic ozone layer is causing increased UV radiation in Scandinavia: AWI

Ozone-depleting chemicals such as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and extended cold stratospheric temperatures have depleted 40% of the ozone in the stratosphere this week, against a previous high of 30%.

OMI Npole Image. Click images to enlarge.

OMI Global Image.

“Over the past few days ozone-depleted air masses extended from the north pole to southern Scandinavia leading to higher than normal levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation during sunny days in southern Finland. These air masses will move east over the next few days, covering parts of Russia and perhaps extend as far south as the Chinese/Russian border. Such excursions of ozone-depleted air may also occur over Central Europe and could reach as far south as the Mediterranean.”  Said Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association (AWI).

Atmospheric researcher Dr. Markus Rex of AWI was quoted as saying that the damage to the Arctic ozone layer is “unparalleled.”

The Arctic Ozone Hole. Image Source: AWI

“Such massive ozone loss has so far never occurred in the northern hemisphere, which is densely populated even at high latitudes,” AWI researcher Markus Rex said. More …

Related Links

• Arctic Ozone Loss Ahoy!
• Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
• Dynamics of the Arctic ozone layer – January 1 to March 23 for both years (4 MB, QuickTime)