Huge ozone loss expanding over the North Pole. NHK Japan

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http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/03_04.html



A team of scientists has found that for the first time, the depletion of the Arctic ozone layer has reached levels approaching the size of the ozone hole over the Antarctic. Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies and researchers from 8 other nations have been studying ozone density, using satellites and observation balloons. The team said ozone loss accelerated between March and April this year and affected about 40 percent of the Arctic ozone layer. That's an area about 3,000 kilometers long and 1,000 kilometers wide.

They say they are the first research group to confirm that destruction of the Earth's protective ozone over the Arctic is nearly equivalent to the loss above the Antarctic. Ozone depletion is believed to be caused by chlorofluorocarbon gas, which is subject to international regulations. The team said the loss was facilitated by lower-than-usual temperatures in Arctic skies during spring this year.

Researcher Hideaki Nakajima said ozone layers filter harmful ultraviolet rays, and the depletion may have an impact on the environment in Scandinavia and Russia, if it continues. He said closer monitoring over the Arctic is necessary. The findings will be published in the online version of the British science magazine, Nature, on Monday.

Monday, October 03, 2011 05:39 +0900 (JST)

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1. Morning Kick!

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2. Evening Kick

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3. K & R

As a former HVAC instructor (EPA certification for technicians is required) I can only hope that this is recognized as a major problem.