Yes. If concentrations of ozone-destroying chemicals are reduced, the natural balance between ozone creation and destruction can be restored. However, this might require the complete elimination of CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, HCFCs, and methyl bromide.

Stratospheric ozone depletion, caused by increasing concentrations of human-produced chemicals, has increased since the 1980s. The springtime loss in Antarctica is the largest depletion. Currently, in nonpolar regions, the ozone layer has been depleted up to several percent compared with that of two decades ago. the figure below indicates, the magnitude of ozone depletion varies between the regions of the Earth. See similar questions...

Ozone depletion occurs when the natural balance between the production and destruction of stratospheric ozone is tipped in favour of destruction. Observations of an antarctic ozone "hole" and atmospheric records indicating seasonal declines in global ozone levels provide strong evidence that global ozone depletion is occurring. Although natural phenomena can cause temporary ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from synthetic compounds are now accepted as the main cause of this depletion. See similar questions...

Long-term trends in cloud type and amount are largely unknown due to the relatively short data record of comprehensive cloud observations, and the high variability of clouds on inter-annual and longer time scales. Some evidence exists showing that, at least over the time span of satellite-based ozone measurements, changes in cloud cover have been much less important than stratospheric ozone reductions in causing surface UV changes. See similar questions...

With regard to the ozone depletion properties of refrigerants, the ozone depletion factors are as follows: See similar questions...

Based on data collected since the 1950's, scientists have determined that ozone levels were relatively stable until the late 1970's. Severe depletion over the Antarctic has been occurring since 1979 and a general downturn in global ozone levels has been observed since the early 1980's. See similar questions...

No one knows for certain. Even if all nations meet their international commitments to phase out ozone-depleting substances, the levels of these chemicals in the stratosphere will remain near peak values for the next 10 to 20 years. To the late 1990's, the ozone layer over southern Canada thinned by an average of about 6 per cent. There is some concern that radiative effects of increased greenhouse gas concentrations may result in delayed ozone layer recovery. See similar questions...

The depletion of the ozone layer leads, on the average, to an increase in ground-level ultraviolet radiation, because ozone is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation. The Sun emits radiation over a wide range of energies, with about 2% in the form of high-energy, ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Some of this UV radiation (UV-B) is especially effective in causing damage to living beings, for example, sunburn, skin cancer, and eye damage to humans. See similar questions...

In the 1970s it was discovered that man-made chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were destroying the ozone in the ozone layer. CFCs contain chlorine which may be released under certain stratosperhic conditions and react with ozone. Once the chlorine has broken up one ozone molecule, it is freed to repeat the process again and again, up to 100,000 times. Thankfully, the use of CFCs has been banned since 1996. See similar questions...

The Montreal Protocol, a series of international agreements on the reduction and eventual elimination of production and use of ozone depleting substances, became effective in 1989. Currently, 160 countries participate in the Protocol. Efforts will result in recovery of the ozone layer in about 50 years. In the US, the EPA continues to establish regulations to phase out these chemicals. See similar questions...

Yes, significant depletion of the Arctic ozone layer now occurs in some years in the late winter/spring period (January-April). However, the maximum depletion is generally less severe than that observed in the Antarctic and is more variable from year to year. A large and recurrent “ozone hole,” as found in the Antarctic stratosphere, does not occur in the Arctic. See similar questions...

Emissions of chlorine and bromine containing synthetic compounds known as industrial halocarbons are the cause of stratospheric ozone depletion. See similar questions...

Once properly diagnosed, treatment for jaw death depends greatly on the extent of the damage. Studies are underway to determine if simple cases caused by Fosamax can be resolved by reducing intake of the drug, but more complicated cases can require surgical removal of the affected regions of the jaw. Your doctor can help guide you along your path to proper jaw health. ^ Back To Top See similar questions...

No. The worldwide decline in amphibians is just that--worldwide. Ozone depletion has not not yet affected the tropics (-25° to 25° latitude), and that is where much of the decline in amphibians has been observed. It is possible that ozone depletion in mid and high latitudes has contributed to the decline of amphibians in those areas, but there are no scientific studies that have made a direct link. See similar questions...

Not really, although there are links between the two. The depletion of ozone in the stratosphere over Antarctica (the 'ozone hole') was first discovered by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey in the mid-1980s. It is caused mainly by emissions of man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which find their way into the stratosphere where they decompose into chlorine compounds which destroy ozone each autumn. See similar questions...

Methyl bromide is considered to be a significant ozone depleting substance (ODS) by atmospheric scientists. A recent report by the World Meteorological Organization with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United Nations Environment Program, and the European Commission called Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 1998 is now available as an Executive Summary. See similar questions...