Ozone layer over Antarctic

Atmospheric scientists have seen signs of the mending of the ozone hole above the Antarctic. Scientists have said that this healing is a direct result of the curb on the release of chlorofluorocarbons following from the Montreal protocol of 1987.

• Scientists have found that the ozone hole has shrunk by more than four million square kilometres since 2000. This is the year when ozone depletion was at its peak.

What is ozone hole?

The ozone hole is a region of depleted layers of ozone above the Antarctic region, whose creation is linked to increased cases of skin cancer.

Factors responsible for the depletion of ozone:

Depletion of ozone is due to many factors, the most dominant of which is the release of chlorine from CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) which destroys the ozone. CFCs are released by products such as hairsprays, old refrigerators etc.

According to scientists, there are three stages in the ozone recovery process:

1.      Reduced rate of decline.

2.     Levelling off of the depletion.

3.     Ozone increase linked to reduction of the levels of CFCs.

Montreal protocol:

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere, and thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer. The original Montreal Protocol was agreed on 16 September 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989.

• The Montreal Protocol includes a unique adjustment provision that enables the Parties to the Protocol to respond quickly to new scientific information and agree to accelerate the reductions required on chemicals already covered by the Protocol. These adjustments are then automatically applicable to all countries that ratified the Protocol.
• Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform-are to be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform).
• These compounds significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging UV-B radiation.
• So far, 197 countries have signed the Protocol.
• The treaty now calls for complete phase out of HCFC by 2030.