THE ozone hole over Antarctica caused by humanity’s toxic chemical emissions remains as large as ever and is “rewriting” entire ecosystems across Antarctica, South America and Australia, scientists have found.
Ozone is a form of oxygen found in the stratosphere where it forms a layer that absorbs high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light. This prevents UV from reaching Earth where it can damage the DNA of plants and animals.
The hole in the ozone shield was first discovered in 1985 by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. It was later found that chemicals called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and halons, used as propellants in aerosols and as coolants, were causing the destruction.
The chemicals were banned but have lingered in the air so that the hole still forms every