Given that the link between the ozone hole and human influence has
been well established, this may turn out to be nothing more than a
minor mystery.
<quote>Other groups have yet to confirm the new photolysis rate, but
the conundrum is already causing much debate and uncertainty in the
ozone research community.</quote>
True, it would add some confusion to the ozone research community but
science loves confusion.
Realclimate has a good commentary on this topic
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/09/uncertainty-in-polar-ozone-depletion/
<quote>A wealth of observational data supports the role of chlorine
and bromine in polar ozone loss, and uncertainty in a single step of
the relevant chemistry does not undermine the Montreal Protocol
controlling substances that release these atoms into the stratosphere.
It is important, however, that the new results be tested so that we
can be confident we understand the potential effects of future changes
in temperature on polar ozone loss (as different chemical reactions
have different sensitivities to temperature). This will allow us to
better understand the effects of climate change on the stratospheric
ozone layer, and to verify the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol,
which has already shown signs of success in reducing the growth of
atmospheric concentrations of CFCs, and seems to have lead to at least
a leveling off of ozone depletion over most of the planet. Full
recovery is not expected for a few decades though.</quote>
Well stated.
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Received on Fri Sep 28 23:08:23 2007
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