The study warns that this gas could weaken the Earth’s cooling system. details here

The study, published in the journal ‘Nature Climate Change’, states that ozone in the lower atmosphere, in particular, Contribution To warm in the Southern Ocean.

Ozone came into limelight in the 1980s when a hole in the ozone layer was discovered in the atmosphere above the South Pole, caused by damage caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a gas used in industry and consumer products. Was.

what is ozone

Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms. It is both a natural and man-made product that occurs in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. (stratosphere) and lower atmosphere (troposphere). Depending on where it is in the atmosphere, ozone affects life on Earth in good or bad ways.

Ozone is produced by the interaction between oxygen molecules in the upper atmosphere and UV radiation from the Sun. In the lower atmosphere, it forms due to chemical reactions between pollutants such as vehicular exhaust fumes and other emissions.

Changes in ozone concentrations in the atmosphere affect westerly winds in the Southern Hemisphere as well as cause inverse levels of salt and temperature near the surface in the Southern Ocean. Both affect ocean currents in different ways, thereby affecting ocean warming.

The ozone layer is important because it blocks dangerous ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth’s surface. This discovery gave rise to the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to halt the production of CFCs.

What the study says about ozone

Ozone is not just a pollutant, but can play an important role in climate change.

Ozone in the lower atmosphere, in particular, contributed to warming in the Southern Ocean.

Changes in ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere were responsible for about a third of the warming observed in ocean waters bordering Antarctica in the late 20th century.

How was the study done?

The team used the model to simulate changes in ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere between 1955 and 2000, to separate them from other influences and to enhance the currently poorly understood understanding of their effect on Southern Ocean warming. Can go

These simulations showed that both a decrease in ozone in the upper atmosphere and an increase in the lower atmosphere contributed to warming due to an increase in overall greenhouse gas in the upper 2 km of ocean water in high latitudes.

Conclusions drawn from the study

The study showed that increased ozone in the lower atmosphere caused 60% of the overall ozone-induced warming observed in the Southern Ocean during the period of the study – far greater than previously thought. This was surprising because tropospheric ozone growth is considered a climatic force primarily in the Northern Hemisphere because that is where the main pollution occurs.

researchers speak

Dr. Michaela Heglin, an associate professor in atmospheric chemistry and one of the study’s authors, said: “Ozone close to the Earth’s surface is harmful to people and the environment, but this study shows that it can help the ocean to absorb excess ozone. also has a big impact on capacity. Heat from the atmosphere.”

“These findings are eye-opening and at home the importance of controlling air pollution to prevent further rise in ozone levels and global temperatures,” he said.

Dr. Heglin said, “We have known for a while that ozone depletion in the atmosphere affects surface climate in the Southern Hemisphere. Our research has shown that ozone increases in the lower atmosphere due to air pollution, which increases the level of ozone in the lower atmosphere.” Occurs mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. And ‘leakage’ is also a serious problem in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“The hope to find solutions, and the success of the Montreal Protocol on cutting CFC use, shows that international action is possible to prevent damage to the planet,” she said.