http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/ozone_holes/ Ozone Depletion Research. Learn what caused the holes in the ozone layer and how the ozone layer is recovering since the banning of CFCs. Read how certain clouds affect ozone depletion and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/ozone_holes/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030100022.htm More than 1.2 billion lightning flashes occur around the world every year. Each of those billion lightning flashes produces a puff of nitrogen oxide gas (NOx) that reacts with sunlight and other gases in the atmosphere to produce ozone. Using data gleaned from aircraft observations and satellites, NASA scientists recently took steps toward a better global estimate of lightning-produced NOx and found that lightning may have a considerably stronger impact on the climate in the mid-latitudes and subtropics. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030100022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171728.htm A new study compares neighborhoods' walkability (degree of ease for walking) with local levels of air pollution and finds that some neighborhoods might be good for walking, but have poor air quality. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091102171728.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123038.htm A new study suggests that air pollution may trigger appendicitis in adults. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005123038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921134831.htm By merging more than a decade of atmospheric data from European satellites, scientists have compiled a homogeneous long-term ozone record that allows them to monitor total ozone trends on a global scale -- and the findings look promising. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921134831.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915113534.htm Physicists have discovered that changes in the Earth's ozone layer due to climate change will reduce the amount of ultraviolet radiation in northern high latitude regions such as Siberia, Scandinavia and northern Canada. Other regions of the Earth, such as the tropics and Antarctica, will instead face increasing levels of UV radiation. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915113534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827141344.htm Nitrous oxide has now become the largest ozone-depleting substance emitted through human activities, and is expected to remain the largest throughout the 21st century, scientists report in a new study. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827141344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826110110.htm Scientists have devised a new technology that could be the key to eliminating foul odors and air pollutants emitted by industrial chicken rendering facilities and -- ultimately -- large-scale swine feedlots. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826110110.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818130425.htm A newly formed Earth was warmed by a weak young sun, a sun too weak to keep water fluid on Earth. Now a professor in atmospheric chemistry explains how a powerful greenhouse gas helped keep young earth warm enough to be a cradle for life. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090818130425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720190728.htm Burning of fossil fuels pumps chemicals into the air that react on surfaces such as buildings and roads to create photochemical smog-forming chlorine atoms, scientists report in a new study. The newfound chemistry should be added to atmospheric models, researchers say. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720190728.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141716.htm The Southern Ocean plays an important role in mitigating climate change because it acts as a sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Most current models predict that the strength of the Southern Ocean carbon dioxide sink should increase as atmospheric carbon dioxide rises, but observations show that this has not been the case. Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806141716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806080142.htm Geoengineering techniques aim to slow global warming through the use of human-made changes to the Earth's land, seas or atmosphere. But new research shows that the use of geoengineering to do environmental good may cause other environmental harm. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806080142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806191938.htm More accurate global weather forecasts and a better understanding of climate change are in the works. Scientists developed a high performance electronic device -- known as a dual polarized Frequency Selective Surface filter -- that is to be used in future European Space Agency (ESA) missions. The data measures temperature, humidity profiles, and gas composition, which are in turn entered into operational systems and used to forecast weather and pollution. Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090806191938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723175500.htm Ozone exposure, even at levels deemed safe by current clean air standards, can have a significant and negative effect on lung function, according to researchers. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723175500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709120657.htm Through a recent modeling experiment, researchers have found that future concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone in the atmosphere and of nitrogen in the soil are likely to have an important but overlooked effect on the cycling of water from sky to land to waterways. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709120657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171503.htm Some of the substances that are helping to avert the destruction of the ozone layer could increasingly contribute to climate warming, according to scientists. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090622171503.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093458.htm Does ozone have an impact on the ocean’s role as a “carbon sink”? Yes, according to researchers. Using original simulations, they have demonstrated that the hole in the ozone layer reduces atmospheric carbon uptake in the Southern Ocean and contributes to the increase in ocean acidity. These results should have a considerable impact on future models of the IPCC, which do not currently take ozone variations into account. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624093458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504205108.htm More children will end up hospitalized over the next decade because of respiratory problems as a result of projected climate change, according to a new study. Mon, 11 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504205108.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507094218.htm Earth's earliest ice ages may have been due to the rise of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, which consumed atmospheric greenhouse gases and chilled the earth. A team of scientists from Germany, South Africa, Canada, and the US have uncovered evidence that the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere coincided with the first widespread ice age on the planet. Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507094218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421101629.htm Increased growth in Antarctic sea ice during the past 30 years is a result of changing weather patterns caused by the ozone hole, according to new research. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421101629.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090410143811.htm Earth's ozone layer should eventually recover from the unintended destruction brought on by the use of chlorofluorocarbons and similar ozone-depleting chemicals in the 20th century. But new research by NASA scientists suggests the ozone layer of the future is unlikely to look much like the past because greenhouse gases are changing the dynamics of the atmosphere. Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090410143811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401204201.htm New technology enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere comparatively to the currently used techniques. With this technology, it will be possible to measure gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone – the gases responsible for global warming and greenhouse effects. The system has a high potential of applicability in satellites due to its efficiency, compactness and reduced volume and mass. Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401204201.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331153014.htm The global market for rocket launches may require more stringent regulation in order to prevent significant damage to Earth's stratospheric ozone layer in the decades to come, according to a new study. Future stratospheric ozone losses from unregulated launches will eventually exceed ozone losses from CFCs. Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331153014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325155252.htm Increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are known to result in reduced coral calcification because carbon dioxide alters ocean chemistry and decreases aragonite saturation because it contributes to ocean acidification. As the aragonite saturation decreases, corals precipitate their skeletons (composed of calcium carbonate) at a slower rate. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325155252.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319090754.htm The year is 2065. Nearly two-thirds of Earth's ozone is gone -- not just over the poles, but everywhere. The infamous ozone hole over Antarctica is a year-round fixture, with a twin over the North Pole. The ultraviolet (UV) radiation falling on mid-latitude cities is strong enough to cause sunburn in just five minutes. Such is the world we would have inherited if 193 nations had not agreed to ban ozone-depleting substances, according to atmospheric chemists Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319090754.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310152335.htm Fumigant pumped into tented houses to kill pests remains in atmosphere six to 10 times longer than previously thought, a new study shows. Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310152335.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311170627.htm A study analyzing two decades of data for 450,000 people across the nation found that long-term exposure to ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, raises the risk of death from respiratory ailments. It is the first major study connecting chronic exposure to ozone to elevated mortality rates, and could be used in future evaluations of federal standards for acceptable ozone levels. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311170627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132343.htm Using data from the satellite-based MIPAS and GOME-2 instruments, scientists have for the first time detected important bromine species in the atmosphere. These new measurements will help scientists to better understand sources of ozone-depleting species and to improve simulations of stratospheric ozone chemistry. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225132343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225073215.htm New evidence of the widespread effects of global warming in the polar regions is emerging. Snow and ice are declining in both polar regions, affecting human livelihoods as well as local plant and animal life in the Arctic, as well as global ocean and atmospheric circulation and sea level. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass contributing to sea level rise. Warming in the Antarctic is much more widespread than previously thought, and it now appears that the rate of ice loss from Greenland is increasing. Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090225073215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204131625.htm Increasing greenhouse gases could delay, or even postpone indefinitely the recovery of stratospheric ozone in some regions of the Earth, a new study suggests. This change might take a toll on public health. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090204131625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121144059.htm An insecticide used to fumigate termite-infested buildings is a strong greenhouse gas that lives in the atmosphere nearly 10 times longer than previously thought,new research has found. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121144059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121144049.htm Scientists have long believed that while the world was getting warmer, most of Antarctica was getting colder. New research shows that for the last 50 years much of Antarctica has actually been warming at a rate comparable to the rest of the world. Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090121144049.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111305.htm Most atmospheric models predict that the rate of transport of air from the troposphere to the above lying stratosphere should be increasing due to climate change. Surprisingly, an international group of researchers has now found that this does not seem to be happening. On the contrary, it seems that the air air masses are moving more slowly than predicted. This could also imply that recovery of the ozone layer may be somewhat slower than predicted by state-of-the-art atmospheric climate models. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081209085628.htm Modern day concentrations of ground level ozone pollution are decreasing the growth of trees in the northern and temperate mid-latitudes, according to new research. Tree growth, measured in biomass, is already 7% less than the late 1800s, and this is set to increase to a 17% reduction by the end of the century. Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081209085628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081122083325.htm A review of studies projecting the impact of climate change on air quality, including effects on morbidity and mortality, indicates that adverse health effects will likely rise with changes in pollutant creation, transport, dispersion, and deposition. However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions could go far in mitigating adverse effects. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081122083325.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107072003.htm In the Arctic in spring, the snow cover gives off nitrogen oxides. This phenomenon, the extent of which had not been previously realized, is the source of one third of the nitrates present in the Arctic atmosphere, according to researchers. Scientists made a quantitative study of the origin and evolution of nitrogen compounds in the Arctic atmosphere, in order to understand their environmental impact on this region. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081107072003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030144618.htm New research by the University of East Anglia has demonstrated for the first time that human activity is responsible for significant warming in both polar regions. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030144618.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105175154.htm The ozone hole over Antarctica, which fluctuates in response to temperature and sunlight, grew to the size of North America in a one-day maximum in September that was the fifth largest on record, since NOAA satellite records began in 1979. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105175154.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009144115.htm Wildfires can boost ozone pollution to levels that violate US health standards. A new study has found that California wildfires in 2007 tripled the number of ozone violations across a broad area. Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081009144115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102853.htm The 2008 ozone hole -- a thinning in the ozone layer over Antarctica -- is larger both in size and ozone loss than 2007 but is not as large as 2006. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081007102853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102537.htm Could there be a link between high levels of air pollution and the risk of appendicitis? New research suggests a novel connection. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081006102537.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170628.htm A water treatment plant from Canada's second biggest city, Montreal, is dumping 90 times the critical amount of certain estrogen products into the river. It only takes one nanogram (ng) of steroids per liter of water to disrupt the endocrinal system of fish and decrease their fertility. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822102344.htm It is red, it burns and itches: a sunburn on our skin. However, too much sun is not only bad for humans. Many plants react sensitively to an increased dose of ultraviolet radiation, too. Yet they are dependent on sunlight. However, this has its limits: too much sun means an over-abundance of energy and thus the destruction of the sensitive pigments. The result are black spots, pale leaves and rotten parts. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080822102344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714151427.htm Scientists have developed an environmentally friendly cooling technology that does not harm the ozone layer. This is achieved by using solar energy and therefore reducing the use of greenhouse gases. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080714151427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625140656.htm Large amounts of ozone are being destroyed in the lower atmosphere over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The significance is that ozone in the lower atmosphere acts as a greenhouse gas and its destruction also leads to the removal of the third most abundant greenhouse gas -- methane. It should lead to improved climate predictions. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625140656.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616163421.htm Nanotechnology is paving the way toward improved solar cells. New research shows that a film of carbon nanotubes may be able to replace two of the layers normally used in a solar cell, with improved performance at a lower cost. Researchers have found a surprising way to give the nanotubes the properties they need: add defects. Currently, these solar cells, called dye-sensitized solar cells, have a transparent film made of an oxide that is applied to glass and conducts electricity. In addition, a separate film made of platinum acts as a catalyst to speed the chemical reactions involved. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080616163421.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612141015.htm The closing of the ozone hole, which is projected to occur sometime in the second half of the 21st century, may significantly affect climate change in the Southern Hemisphere, and therefore, the global climate, according to a new article in Science. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080612141015.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603183309.htm Heat waves, droughts and fuel prices are just a few reasons for the current global food crisis that is making headlines around the world. New research indicates that rising background levels of ozone in the atmosphere are a likely contributor to the problem, lowering the yield of important food crops, such as wheat and soybeans. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080603183309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529162856.htm A new study investigated the association between short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and the risk of stroke. Researchers found that recent exposure to fine particulate matter may increase the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080529162856.htm