MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile expands and improves ozone research

Ozone research in Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctic is expanding with the resumption of probe balloons launching and the establishment of ultra violet radiation registering equipment in the Eduardo Frei and Bernardo O'Higgins bases.

With the help from the Brazilian Space Research Institute the University of Magallanes has re started launching probe balloons to measure ozone concentration, which together with the new Antarctic equipments will help Punta Arenas have reliable real time information about the thinning of the layer and UV exposure.

The probe program is quite costly involving 250.000 US dollars for the launching of 25 to 30 balloons per season, mainly austral spring when the ozone hole reaches its maximum opening over the southern hemisphere.

Claudio Casiccia head of the University of Magallanes ozone monitoring and UV radiation laboratory said "the balloon probes offer more precise information about ozone concentration and together with UV data from the Chilean Antarctic bases we can have a more exact overall picture of the situation".

"Towards the end of September our readings showed ozone levels of 240 Dobson with the hole extending widely but with the main intensity, or rather thinning, over Antarctica. Lately the level in the area is 300 Dobson, which makes it more normal, but it's always difficult to anticipate", admitted Mr. Casiccia.

Anyhow he pointed out that ozone and UV information is Magallanes region is readily available, reliable, and completely transparent with no room for alarmists and "most important public opinion awareness and support for prevention policies".