Large ozone hole over Antarctica likely
Thursday August 21, 2003
Scientists are predicting a large
ozone hole over much of Antarctica this spring.
Ozone is a protective layer that
lies around Earth rather like a veil and shields us from the ultraviolet-B (UVB)
radiation of the sun’s rays.
Parliamentary Secretary for the
Antarctic Dr Sharman Stone said that a larger ozone hole meant that people were
likely to be at greater risk of sunburn and should take precautions.
“Our scientists are telling us
that the trend in atmospheric readings above Antarctica are similar to those
observed in 2000, when the ozone hole was of record size and about three times
the size of Australia,” Dr Stone said.
A joint project by Australian
Antarctic Division (AAD) and Bureau of Meteorology scientists collecting data at
Australia’s Davis station in Antarctica have found colder than usual
atmospheric temperatures present, and these contribute to a hole in the ozone.
Dr Stone said that news of the
likelihood of a large hole over Antarctica this year was disappointing.
“This is the legacy of ozone
depletion over many years and reinforces just how long it can take to repair the
damage.
“However, recent news that
repair is underway further up in the stratosphere is confirmation that measures
adopted internationally in 1987 are working.
“We have known for some time
that synthetic gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), cause the
stratospheric changes that lead to a hole in the ozone layer and Australia was
at the forefront in phasing out their use and production,” Dr Stone said.
“Chlorofluorocarbons were
commonly used as propellants in spray cans and refrigerants.”
AAD atmospheric scientist, Dr
Andrew Klekociuk, said that the project by the AAD and Bureau of Meteorology was
providing the first in-situ measurements of stratospheric ozone by Australian
scientists in Antarctica.
“At Davis station we saw the
first signs of cooling of the lower stratosphere – 15 to 25 kms above
Antarctica - some six weeks earlier than usual.
“The current trends are similar
to those in 2000. The ozone hole then was of record size and covered an
area about three times that of Australia. This is in contrast to the
situation in 2002 when unusually warm conditions produced the smallest ozone
hole since 1988,” Dr Klekociuk said.
Dr Stone said that It was clear
that Australian science in Antarctica was helping to piece together the big
picture of global climate and ozone depletion.
Dr Stone added that the Federal
Government’s recently-introduced Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse
Gas Legislation Amendment Bill would ensure that Australia continued to
build on its already well-established commitment to controlling the use of
substances that have detrimental impacts on the global atmosphere.
“For example, the importation
of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing ozone-depleting
substances, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbon, will be better controlled.”
“The Bureau of Meteorology
forecasts the Ultraviolet (UV) Index graph daily for each state and territory.
“This index gives an indication
of the degree of sun protection required each day,” Sharman Stone said.
Further information:
Andrew Cox (Dr Stone’s office) 0408 057 226 or (02)
6277 2016
Patti Lucas. Media Liaison, AAD, (03) 6232 3514 or 0439
639 227
Australian
Antarctic Division (AAD)
http://www.antdiv.gov.au
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