MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN: Ozone layer depletion seems to have peaked

Depletion of the ozone layer over Antarctica caused by emissions of industrial chemicals seems to have peaked indicating that global environmental pacts are working according to United Nations scientists.

"The current hole above the South Pole and Antarctica is now shrinking after falling short of the record years of 2003 and 2000, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization reported in its latest bulletin.

Last September 19 the ozone hole peaked 26,9 million square kilometres compared to the 29 million of September 2003 which most scientists consider has been the record.

"It's the third largest ever, more or less as one would expect from present levels of chlorine and bromine in the atmosphere", indicated Geir Braathen the Meteorological Organization main expert, adding that "it doesn't look as if the ozone hole is going to get any bigger (in coming years). It seems we have reached a plateau".

Products containing chlorine and bromine are blamed for thinning the globe's protective ozone layer which filters ultraviolet radiation.

"As the amount of chlorine and bromine will continue to decline over the next decades, although very slowly, one expects the ozone hole to get smaller", said Norwegian scientist Braathen.

But uncertainties remain because of the climate change that is leading to higher temperatures on the ground, but in the stratosphere they will decrease, "which will encourage more ozone loss in the Artic and Antarctic", warned Braathen