A new study shows that smoke from wildfires destroys the ozone layer. Researchers caution that if major fires become more frequent with a changing climate, more damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun will reach the ground.
Large wildfires inject smoke and biomass-burning products into the mid-latitude stratosphere, where they destroy ozone, which protects us from ultraviolet radiation.
Using data from the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) SCISAT satellite, atmospheric scientists from the University of Waterloo have confirmed that certain clouds draw pollution away from the surface of Earth.
Launched by NASA on board the Canadian satellite SCISAT in 2003, the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) was intended for a two-year mission. Fifteen years later, ACE is still providing excellent spectra that provide vital chemical and physical data about our atmosphere, particularly the ozone layer.
SCISAT was originally designed for a 2-year mission but has now surpassed expectations and continues to record measurements of Earth's atmosphere. To commemorate this special occasion, a tenth anniversary book has been published entitled The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment ACE at 10: A Solar Occultation Anthology.
A team from the Department of Chemistry at the University of York (York, UK) is involved in monitoring emissions using aircraft and satellites. Their mission is to gather data on the extent to which the fires affect levels of atmospheric pollutants such as ozone and the way those pollutants interact.
Unusually low temperatures in the Arctic ozone layer have recently initiated massive ozone depletion. The Arctic appears to be heading for a record loss of this trace gas that protects the Earth's ssurface against ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Scientists at the University of York have played a key role in new international research which demonstrates how one of the world's great natural phenomena is helping to increase pollution in the upper atmosphere.
Energetic particle precipitation, in which high-energy electrons and protons from the Sun and magnetosphere hit Earth's upper atmosphere, results in the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. Under the right weather conditions, NOx can descend into the stratosphere, where it destroys ozone. The authors note that 2009 is the second time on record in recent years when abnormal weather conditions led to increased descent of NOx in the polar region. They suggest that this may indicate that changes are occurring in the atmosphere and point to a need for better understanding of the interaction between meteorology and space weather.
The Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute has announced the recipients of the 2009 CASI Senior Awards. The 2009 Alouette Award for outstanding contributions to advancement in Canadian space technology, applications, science and engineering goes to leaders of the development of the outstandingly successful Canadian SCISAT satellite.