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Consequences of man-made gases: Ozone layer hole larger than Antarctica this year

Consequences of man-made gases: Ozone layer hole larger than Antarctica this

The ozone hole that develops each year is currently larger than the Antarctic continent, say the scientists responsible for monitoring it.

Researchers from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service stated that the ozone hole is growing rapidly and is larger than 75% of ozone holes at this stage of the season since 1979.

Ozone exists about seven to 25 miles above the Earth's surface, in the stratosphere, and acts as a sunscreen for the planet from ultraviolet radiation. Every year, a hole forms during the late winter in the southern hemisphere as the sun causes destructive reactions in this layer. Copernicus said in a statement that this year's hole "has evolved more than usual".

Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of the service, told The Guardian: " We can not say at this time how the ozone hole will evolve. However, this year 's hole is extremely similar to that of 2020, which was among the deepest and longest lived and closed over Christmas, according to our monitoring since 1979.

Scientists admit that depletion in the ozone layer is caused by man-made gases called CFCs, which were first created in the 1930s to be used in cooling systems.

Chemicals are stable and so can travel from the Earth's surface to the stratosphere. But then, at the height where stratospheric ozone is found, they are broken down by high-energy ultraviolet radiation. Subsequent chemical reactions destroy ozone. CFCs have been banned from 197 countries around the world.

Since the ban on so-called halocarbons, the ozone layer has shown signs of recovery, but it is a slow process and will last until the 2060s or 70s for a complete removal of depleted substances. In recent years with normal weather conditions, the ozone hole has typically increased to a maximum of 20 million sq km.

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