A new study in Geophysical Rresearch Letters (July 15, 1998) reports measurements by satellite indicate a localized and natural source of BrO, a known ozone depleting substance, in arctic regions especially over the Hudson Bay area.
The measurements show a springtime "plume" of bromine, which destroys ozone in the arctic troposphere. If mixing of this naturally produced chemical occurs into the stratosphere, it could be the source of the widely held belief that the stratospheric "Ozone Hole", found in polar regions during springtime, is caused by manmade refrigerant chemicals.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Bremen, Germany. They make the following statements:
- "Long-term observations of tropospheric ozone concentrations in polar regions have repeatedly shown periods of low ozone values in spring [Oltmans and Komhyr, 1986; Bottenheim et al., 1986; Winkler et al., 1992]. These "low ozone events" have been reported for both the Arctic and the Antarctic and are believed to be mostly of natural origin."
- "The localised nature of the long duration of the BrO event over the Hudson Bay area can only be explained by a large local source of bromine"
- "Several theories have been proposed to explain the production of enhanced tropospheric bromine at high latitudes in spring.These include both biologic and inorganic mechanisms. The GOME measurements of large amounts of BrO in spring but not in summer and autumn, and the correlation of BrO with the movement of sea-ice across the seasons are consistent with a biological source releasing bromine as the sea-ice cracks."
It appears that natural sources of bromine within the Arctic and Antarctic may indeed be the source of the widely held belief in the "ozone hole" hypothesis.
So, will we now see a repeal of the Montreal Protocol, which is currently intending to very shortly ban production of these refrigerants and mandate we all buy new equipment to handle new refrigerants?
Don't hold your breath.
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