Antarctic Ozone Hole May Be Larger in 2008 - UN
SWITZERLAND: September 1, 2008
GENEVA - The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica may be larger this year
than in 2007, the United Nations weather agency said on Friday.
The ozone layer shields the Earth from damaging ultra-violet rays that can
cause skin cancer. The Antarctic ozone hole is normally about the size of
North America but its ultimate size depends on weather conditions.
"As the sun returns to Antarctica after the polar night, it is expected that
ozone depletion will speed up," the World Meteorological Organisation said
in its latest Ozone Bulletin.
Satellite and other observations to date "could indicate that the 2008 ozone
hole will be smaller than the 2006 ozone hole but larger than the one of
2007," the WMO said, noting this year's ozone depletion began "somewhat
later than last year."
While use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has waned, large
amounts of chlorine and bromine remain in the atmosphere and cause recurrent
holes in the protective layer.
"It is still too early to give a definitive statement about the development
of this year's ozone hole and the degree of ozone loss that will occur," it
added. (Reporting by Laura MacInnis; Editing by Dina Kyriakidou)
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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