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The mystery of the Antarctic Ozone “Hole”
Author(s) -
Solomon Susan
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg026i001p00131
Subject(s) - ozone , ozone depletion , atmospheric sciences , ozone layer , environmental science , atmospheric chemistry , spring (device) , stratosphere , climatology , oceanography , geology , meteorology , physics , thermodynamics
Total ozone levels over Antarctica have declined by about 50% over the past decade, principally during the spring seasons. This unprecedented and unanticipated change in the total ozone column has precipitated a great deal of research into the dynamics and chemistry of the Antarctic, and their contributions to the observed behavior of ozone there. Observations of the total ozone column and its vertical profile over Antarctica are reviewed. Theoretical models to explain the mysterious change in ozone abundances are described, along with observations of Antarctic temperatures. Both chemical and dynamical processes occurring in Antarctic spring may be related to polar stratospheric clouds. The radiative and chemical properties of these clouds are summarized. Available observations of other chemical species besides ozone (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, chlorine monoxide) are also discussed. The current status of the evidence supporting various theories of the behavior of ozone in the Antarctic is summarized.