New Research Reveals Ozone Gas is Heating Earth More Than We Previously Thought

Ozone in the atmosphere has contributed to the heating of the planet more than previously thought, as per a new study.

In particular, the ozone gas is said to be significantly responsible for the warming of the Southern Ocean, resulting in global warming.

Ozone and Climate Change

(Photo : Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

In a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on March 31, the depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere and troposphere has contributed to the interior warming of the planet.

This accounts for 33% of warming in ocean waters bordering Antarctica from the 1950s.

These waters were supposed to serve as a global cooling system.

Climate scientists discovered that the damage to the ozone layer has led to an increased presence of these gases in the southern waters, adding to the global heating, as per Science Daily.

Although ozone in the higher atmosphere is beneficial to living organisms and the protection of Earth, ozone gases have been proven to be harmful once it reaches the surface.

Following the dawn of industrialization, human activities have directly damaged the ozone layer through the emission of harmful manufactured chemical compounds, notably chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.

Also Read: "Bigger Than Antarctica"- Experts Alarmed as This Year's Ozone Hole is Larger Than Usual

What is the Ozone Layer?

The Earth's atmospheric ozone layer serves as all life forms' protective barrier from harmful solar radiation and ultraviolet (UV) light, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

However, the thinning of the ozone over recent decades has increased the risk from these threats.

The atmosphere consists of several layers, with the troposphere being the lowest layer located at 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Earth's surface.

The next layer is the stratosphere which extends from 10 kilometers to 50 kilometers (6 miles to 31 miles).

Most parts of the ozone can be found in the stratosphere where it absorbs a portion of the Sun's radiation before it reaches the ground.

Ozone gases or ozone molecules in this atmospheric layer are constantly undergoing the cycle of formation and destruction at any time, as per EPA.

Biological and Genetic Risks

The thinning or depletion of the ozone layer can cause various biological risks not only to humans but also to animals, and plants.

A wide range of biodiversity, land and marine ecosystems, and natural habitats are also endangered if such a phenomenon continues.

The disappearance of the ozone will pave the way for the increased penetration of UV light, leading to damage to crops, high skin cancer, cataract rates, and others, as per the US environmental agency.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), UV radiation can also lead to a series of genetic risks to animals and humans through the mutation of DNA by up to 650% in a theoretical setting of a lowered ozone layer.

In addition, the radiation is strong enough to cause sunburn in just five minutes.

NASA's theoretical assessment in 2009 was based on the atmospheric simulation of the ozone layer led by Goddard scientist Paul Newman and his team.

Environmental and Climatic Risks

The depletion of the ozone can evidently yield environmental and climatic risks.

Since the new study discussed the ozone's role in contributing to global warming, the continuance of further damage to this atmospheric layer can aggravate the climatic repercussions of climate change.

The combination of the increased greenhouse gas effect and a damaged ozone layer is futile.

The former enables trapped greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to absorb solar heat, and the latter elevates solar radiation penetration.

With these worsening climatic conditions, the heating of the planet can increase exponentially in the coming decades.