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The Antarctic Ozone Hole

The massive ozone depletion in the Antarctic lower stratosphere (18 km) (refer to (1)) is caused by the high concentration of the radical chlorine monoxide (2). Chlorine nitrate (3), the reservoir gas for ClO, is depleted in the same region that ClO is enhanced. Nitric acid (4) also is depleted in the polar region. Cold temperatures have condensed the nitric acid into polar stratosphere clouds.

The data was collected September 18, 1992.

(1) MLS O3 (ozone)

Ozone Hole Map

(2) MLS ClO (chlorine monoxide)

MLS CIO Map

(3) CLAES ClONO2 (chlorine nitrate)

CLAES Clorine Nitrate Map

(4) MLS HNO3 (nitric acid)

MLS Nitric Acid Map


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Last modified: March 08, 2017