It became known that the ozone layer of the Earth was seriously damaged, and a huge and growing hole appeared in it. This was told by scientists from the University of Leeds in the UK. It is worth noting that the ozone layer protects living organisms on Earth from cosmic and solar radiation. With direct exposure, they can cause serious mutations, as well as destroy DNA.
According to the researchers, the ozone layer was under serious threat. According to Gamebomb.ru, we are talking about an ozone hole in the Antarctic, which continues to grow due to unknown emissions. Scientists note that if the emissions continue further, it will continue to harm the ozone layer of the Earth. According to the researchers, in 2018, strong emissions of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) were recorded. It is noted that these emissions came from unknown production in China, which only exacerbated the problem.
Scientists report that CFC-11 production was limited by the Montreal Protocol back in 1987. Due to this, it is expected that the level of the ozone hole in Antarctica will nevertheless be able to return to the level of 1980. However, due to new emissions, the restoration of the ozone layer in the Antarctic may be delayed for more than decades. Scientist Martyn Chipperfield and colleagues used a detailed atmospheric chemical transport model to study the effects of these additional emissions on ozone layer recovery. According to the researchers, there are three possible ways to release CFC-11. According to the first, emissions should stop immediately, and according to the second, they will continue at a constant level. On the third path, CFC-11 emissions should be reduced gradually over the next 10 years.
According to Gamebomb.ru, scientists also said that in order to return to the 1980 level of the ozone layer in the shortest possible time, you should choose the third way and reduce emissions gradually, then the delay will be no more than two years. If emissions continue at a constant level, then, according to scientists, it will be possible to return the level of ozone to 1980 values after about 18 years.
