Antarctic ozone hole could fully recover by 2066, new research shows

Every year, a seasonal thinning of the ozone layer occurs over Antarctica, a reminder of the environmental damage caused by industrial chemicals. However, 2024 has brought encouraging news as ozone depletion this year was smaller than in previous years, leading to optimism about the continued recovery of the atmosphere’s protective layer. During recent monitoring from September to mid-October, scientists from NOAA and NASA observed that the ozone hole over Antarctica is the seventh smallest hole in history.

While still substantial in size, on average about three times larger than the continental United States, it peaked at 5.2 million square miles (8.5 million square kilometers) on September 28 before beginning to shrink.

According to one report According to Earth.com, the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty ratified in 1992, has played a crucial role in this improvement. By phasing out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the treaty has helped reduce chemicals that damage the ozone layer. This year’s relatively smaller hole is a direct result of these efforts and a fortunate influx of ozone-rich air moving southward and replenishing the atmosphere over Antarctica.

Reduced CFC levels offer hope for recovery

Dr. Paul Newman, head of ozone research at NASA, noted that “the Antarctic ozone hole in 2024 will be smaller than the hole observed in the early 2000s, reflecting the gradual recovery that has been underway for two decades.” This positive trend underlines the impact of global cooperation to control ozone depleting substances.

Despite this progress, scientists are cautious. Stephen Montzka of NOAA’s Global Monitoring Laboratory emphasizes that recovery remains a slow process. CFCs still in the atmosphere will linger for decades before completely breaking down. Bryan Johnson, a research chemist at NOAA, pointed out that ozone concentrations reached a low of 109 Dobson units in 2024, significantly below the 1979 level of 225 units.

International monitoring and future prospects

NASA and NOAA will continue to monitor the ozone layer closely. They will use satellite instruments and weather balloons launched from stations in Antarctica to measure ozone levels. While existing CFCs are slowly broken down, scientists expect steady improvements, aiming for a full recovery of the ozone layer by 2066.