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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 6, NUMBER 5, MAY 1993

NEWS...
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE STRATOSPHERIC OZONE

Item #d93may92

Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric ozone dropped more than 20 percent below the long-term normal levels over most of Europe during February, reaching a record low level, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Levels were 9 to 20 percent below average in the middle- and high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during December, January and February, making this the second winter in a row to experience very low ozone levels.

Atmospheric scientist Rumen Bojkov of WMO believes that anthropogenic chemicals caused much of the ozone reduction, although other factors such as atmospheric motions are involved. This destruction would be consistent with measurements of ozone-destroying chemicals by the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), and with predictions made last year of the potential for severe ozone loss over the Northern Hemisphere, according to NASA scientists quoted in Science News (pp. 180-181, Mar. 20). However, Bojkov emphasized that there is no ozone hole over the northern latitudes, contrary to reports that appeared recently in German, Dutch and Danish newspapers. Ozone concentrations normally increase in winter; they just didn't increase as much as usual this past winter.

See also Intl. Environ. Rptr., p. 246, Apr. 7 1993, and p. 156, Mar. 10 1993; Global Environ. Change Rep., p. 6, Mar. 26 1993.