Record-size Hole Opens in Ozone Layer Above the Arctic (theguardian.com) 37
A rare hole has opened up in the ozone layer above the Arctic, in what scientists say is the result of unusually low temperatures in the atmosphere above the north pole. From a report: The hole, which has been tracked from space and the ground over the past few days, has reached record dimensions, but is not expected to pose any danger to humans unless it moves further south. If it extends further south over populated areas, such as southern Greenland, people would be at increased risk of sunburn. However, on current trends the hole is expected to disappear altogether in a few weeks. Low temperatures in the northern polar regions led to an unusual stable polar vortex, and the presence of ozone-destroying chemicals such as chlorine and bromine in the atmosphere -- from human activities -- caused the hole to form. "The hole is principally a geophysical curiosity," said Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. "We monitored unusual dynamic conditions, which drive the process of chemical depletion of ozone. [Those dynamics] allowed for lower temperatures and a more stable vortex than usual over the Arctic, which then triggered the formation of polar stratospheric clouds and the catalytic destruction of ozone."
Article is unclear... (Score:4, Interesting)
... when they say "temperatures" whether they're talking about surface temperatures or stratospheric temperatures. Because an enhanced greenhouse effect raises surface temperatures but lowers stratospheric temperatures. I suppose they're talking about surface temperatures, in relationship to the polar vortex; it's been unseasonably cold in Reykjavík lately (though it's finally warmed up).
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... when they say "temperatures" whether they're talking about surface temperatures or stratospheric temperatures.
Both. The Arctic above 80N is experiencing record low surface temperatures.
The record cold is caused by a powerful polar vortex: winds that circle the globe in the high arctic and trap the cold air within.
Record arctic oscillation [washingtonpost.com]
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What low temperatures? The news is still filled with stories about the Arctic burning up. Certainly, carbon emission is down this spring because of the global lockdown, but it would take years of that before it affects carbin already in the atmosphere.
very cool (Score:2)
"Low temperatures in the northern polar regions led to an unusual stable polar vortex, and the presence of ozone-destroying chemicals such as chlorine and bromine in the atmosphere -- from human activities -- caused the hole to form."
Cool, basically the earth is burping. Unlike the chrlorine and bromine the earth will rapidly replenish the ozone.
I'm not saying it's caused by 5G... (Score:2)
But...
Record-size? (Score:3, Funny)
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An LP or a 45?
Neither.
It's a rare big 10-inch hole.
Re:Record-size? (Score:4, Funny)
No– database record.
Re:Record-size? (Score:5, Funny)
What do you mean? An African or a European vinyl record?
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Bridgekeeper: I... I... I don't know that!
The bridgekeeper is launched through a hole in the ozone layer and escapes the atmosphere along with the chlorine gas.
Action needed (Score:4, Funny)
Low temperatures in the northern polar regions
We need to end this Covid-19 shutdown, get in our SUVs and start generating CO2. Now!
R-134a (Score:1)
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So we in the automotive industry expensively switched to the supposedly less efficient (read "more fuel-using/emissions-creating") AC refrigerant for what now?
So that DuPont could make money on R-134a (and other refrigerants) after their patent on R-12 expired.
Re:R-134a (Score:4, Insightful)
To keep this from becoming the norm. Thought that was obvious.
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To keep this from becoming the norm. Thought that was obvious.
Incorrect. R-134a has insignificant ozone depletion potential. [wikipedia.org] It was banned because of its moderate global warming potential. [wikipedia.org]
If it just opened up ... (Score:2)
... isn't it record-sized by definition?
"Hey, my son has just been born. He's bigger than he ever was!"
Well, no shit?
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Every second of your life, you're older* than you ever were before.
* does not apply to Benjamin Button.
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No, absolutely not (Score:2)
"a rare hole"
That hole has been there every fucking year, calling it 'rare' is stupid, it's just exceptionally big for this time.
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calling it 'rare' is stupid, it's just exceptionally big for this time.
WHOOSH
Extensive clean up operations (Score:1)
Seven words are all you need to read (Score:2)
"The hole is principally a geophysical curiosity." That's it, folks. Move along. Nothing to see, regulate, or tax here.
Ah ... so 'hole' without the CFC's ... who knew? (Score:2)
Remember when the 'hole' was due to CFC's and all the effort at eliminating them, etc.? This is the first I heard that there were other possible causes of the 'hole'.
My point: we are repeatedly mislead with half-truths in the guise of 'science'. Nobody tells the whole story because they need to scare the public in to action. The nuclear industry paid the price for that approach and is distrusted in the extreme.
My fear: at some point the current climate change half truths will motivate the acceptance of a
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Remember when the 'hole' was due to CFC's and all the effort at eliminating them, etc.? This is the first I heard that there were other possible causes of the 'hole'.
The hole in the north shows up for the same reason. So I'm not sure what you're getting at here? There isn't a different reason, it's just they're not calling it by the name you're used to hearing.
My point: we are repeatedly mislead with half-truths in the guise of 'science'.
Yes, you clearly are the paragon of intellect here.
Nobody tells the whole story because they need to scare the public in to action
The vast majority of people don't even know what the fuck a binomial is. But you want news outlets to report shit that 90% of this planet would be hopeless in comprehension. Got'cha. Also, don't confuse news outlets for "everyone". Scientist have no problem
Great news!! (Score:1)