images of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service also showed on Monday, in the Arctic (North pole), a partially heavily thinned ozone layer. In the beginning of March, researchers on a had removal usually strong ozone over the Region indicated.

For decades, is also formed over the Antarctic (the South pole), according to the local Winter, when the conditions for depletion of the ozone layer rule, for a few months a hole in the Ozone layer. The reason for the in comparison, the much smaller ozone hole in the Northern hemisphere are sphere this year, unusual atmospheric conditions, including extreme freezing temperatures in the stratosphere.

No comparison with the Antarctic ozone hole

earlier had observed, researchers occasionally small ozone holes over the North pole, but never to this extent. “The ozone hole that we observe in the Arctic, has a maximum dimension of less than 1 Million square kilometers,” is Diego Loyola, quoted by the German centre for air and space travel, in a communication to the European space Agency (Esa).

But: “is small compared to the Antarctic ozone hole can reach a Size of about 20 to 25 million square kilometers, with a normal duration of about three to four months.”

ozone hole closes soon

researchers expect the ozone hole closes soon. “Our prediction is now rising temperatures in the polar vortex, so that will slow down the breakdown of the ozone, and finally stop altogether,” says Vincent-Henri fire chief, Director of the Department of atmospheric Monitoring of Copernicus.

The ozone layer is a natural layer of gas that protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The ozone hole over the Antarctic was discovered in 1985 and had led to the step to ban the use of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) have. Since then, the hole slowly closing. (SDA/bra)

What is ozone?

Ground-level ozone acts as an irritant gas. Ozone is formed in the lower atmosphere by photochemical processes. Transport, industry as well as solvent-based products, oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic Compounds can produce. This radiation, ozone is formed when intense sunlight.

acts During ozone below harmful, it is in the stratosphere at a height of 10 to 50 kilometres useful and even essential to life. The ozone envelops the earth and protects us from the ultra violet radiation of the sun, the sunburn, skin cancer and damage to the eyes can cause. This ozone layer is partly damaged, one speaks of the hole in the Ozone layer.

ozone layer the ozone layer protects against HautkrebsJe thinner it is, the more ultraviolet radiation reaches the bottom of the earth. This can destroy delicate plants, which are at the top of the food chain. In humans, the increased ultra-violet radiation can cause skin cancer, eye damage and other diseases.