New Data Reveal Shallower Ozone Hole

antarc tic [I OFTHE hUN (TED JJxu1 U STATES December 1988 National Science Foundation Volume XXIII—Number 4 New data reveal shallower ozone hole Using data obtained from ground- Although chlorine is the key ingre- based and balloon-borne instruments dient in the ozone destruction cycle and the Total Ozone Mapping Spec- above Antarctica, a strong polar vortex trometer (TOMS) aboard the Nimbus-7 centered over the pole, extremely low satellite, atmospheric scientists found temperatures in the lower stratosphere, that the ozone layer above Antarctica and polar stratospheric clouds also must thinned by only 10 to 15 percent in Oc- be present. The polar vortex is a strong tober 1988. This change did not surprise belt of westerly winds that seal off the researchers. According to NASA scien- antarctic atmosphere and prevent it from tists, they had predicted a moderation in mixing with warmer air and ozone from the depletion but had expected the de- northern latitudes. This isolation cou- pletion to slightly greater-25 to 30 per- pled with lower stratospheric tem- cent rather—than what was actually peratures (below -80°C) sets up the nec- observed. essary conditions for the formation of These measurements sharply contrast polar stratospheric clouds (PSC). The ice with those acquired last year, when crystals that make up PSCs contain nitro- ozone levels in the antarctic stratosphere gen that would normally make chlorine dropped to the lowest ever recorded. harmless, and provide reactive surfaces During the same period in 1987 total that convert nondestructive chlorine ozone abundance in the area of the de- molecules to destructive chlorine mole- pletion had dropped to 50 percent below cules through a series of heterogeneous Owl normal winter levels, while in some reactions. areas instruments recorded levels as Approximately 1 year ago, researchers much as 90 percent below normal. recognized that the severity of the ozone depletion could be linked to the direc- tional change in wind flow patterns in the lower stratosphere over the equator. Called quasi-biennial oscillation, these In this issue. Aw New data reveal shallower winds have a 26-month cycle during ozone hole ....................... which their flow changes directions. NSB approves Foundation plan During 1987 when the greatest ozone to implement polar regions losses were measured, westerly winds ,. H recommendations ......................2 were dominant. However, 1988 the Designing a new science facility winds changed to an easterly flow for McMurdo Station ................ 4 pattern. - U.S. Antarctic Safety Panel submits final report and The 1988 change in stratospheric recommendations ................. weather patterns apparently pushed the Sweden and Spain become Antarctic . polar vortex north. With warmer air con- Treaty Consultative Parties... .7 taining more ozone circulating, the polar The austral crescent .............7 vortex was weakened. This change raises Treaty nations agree to regime temperatures in the stratosphere above for managing mineral the southern continent. In fact, 1988 resource activities ................13 temperatures in the antarctic strat- Observations of birds and marine osphere were 10°C higher than last year. mammals at Palmer Station, Also, balloon observations at McMurdo November 1985 to November 1986 .14 An evaluation of the Station showed that strong winds ap- NASA photo by Larry Sammons. Amundsen-Scott South Pole peared to be bringing ozone-rich air into Station power source..................18 stratosphere at altitudes above the de- Errata ....................................19 pleted area. Atmospheric researchers prepare to launch an Foundation awards of funds for instrumented balloon near McMurdo Station in The lower levels of depletion this year 1987. This year observations made using sim- antarctic projects, 1 July emphasize that temperature and weather to 30 September 1988 ..............19 ilar instruments indicate that more ozone-rich Weather at U.S. stations ................23 patterns have a significant part in the air is entering the stratosphere at altitudes ozone-destruction cycle and apparently above the area of ozone depletion. control the degree of loss. However, sci- ommendations are already being imple- entists are sill unsure about how the pol- NSB approves mented; others will be carried out in the ar vortex and quasi-biennial oscillation Foundation plan to future. Also, these activities reaffirm the are linked. Added to this controversy is Foundations dedication to improving the discovery that sunspots also affect implement polar regions understanding of the role played by the polar temperatures. recommendations polar regions in global change and its Scientists point out that these facts effects on the geosphere and biosphere. raise new questions about ozone deple- Table 2 summarizes the recommendation and climate change. For example, At the March 1988 meeting of the Na- tions, which the committee divided into although the "greenhouse effect" warms tional Science Board (NSB), the Founda- three categories—research, support, the lower stratosphere, it cools the upper tions Director Erich Bloch presented the and policy. For each recommendation ex- stratosphere. This suggests that ozone NSF plan to implement 15 recommenda- amples of programs and plans related to depletion could occur in other parts of tions developed by a special NSB com- antarctic research is provided. However, the world, if the temperatures were low mittee to strengthen the National Sci- the following outlines the topics covered enough and circulation patterns ence Foundations role in polar research. by the recommendations and the current changed. The recommendations, accepted by the and planned activities to implement Also the relationship between lower Board at its July 1987 meeting, resulted them. temperatures and greater ozone destruc- from a year-long study of how the Foun- Research. The recommendations call tion suggests that ozone depletion could dation can ensure strong, high-quality for a doubling of NSF funds available to occur over the Arctic, despite the dif- programs in the Antarctic and Arctic. support polar research over the next 3 ferences in arctic and antarctic climate When the Board accepted the recom- years, beginning with the 1989 budget. dynamics. Observations made during mendations, the members requested Several areas are highlighted for special January and February 1988 above Green- that Mr. Bloch develop an implementa- consideration—basic engineering re- land showed that similar chemical reac- tion plan. Because of the wide scope of search in the polar regions, research into tions were occurring but not at the level the recommendations, a cross-directo- the origins and culture of Arctic peoples, of those occurring over the Antarctic. rate committee, chaired by Anton Inder- and more emphasis on health, medicine, bitzen and Jerry Brown of the Division of and social sciences research in the polar Polar Programs, was formed. The mem- regions. bers with their respective affiliations are Table 3 shows the planned increases listed in table 1. that are necessary to meet the recom- In developing the implementation mended doubling of funding for arctic plan, the committee reviewed the polar and antarctic research. The implementa- regions report and recommendations, tion plan lists past, present, and future I1 along with existing and planned re- engineering studies, descriptions of NSF search programs of the Foundation. The activities to implement other recommen- resulting report and implementation dations, and 15 activities directed toward plan illustrate the diversity of current learn more about the history of Arctic and planned NSF activities related to the peoples and polar aspects of health, polar regions. Although the required medical, and social sciences. Editor Winifred Reuning effort to reach the objectives of each rec- Support. Eight recommendations focus Antarctic Journal of the United ommendation varies, many of the rec- on providing more effective support to States, established in 1966, reports on U.S. activities in Antarctica and Table 1. Members of the NSF-wide committee related activities elsewhere, and on trends in the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. It is published quarterly Chairmen (March, June, September, and De- Jerry Brown, Division of Polar Programs cember) with a fifth annual review Anton L. lnderbitzen, Division of Polar Programs issue by the Division of Polar Pro- grams, National Science Foun- Geosciences Directorate dation, Washington, D.C. 20550. Telephone: 202/357-7817. Louis B. Brown, Division of Ocean Sciences H. Lawrence Clark, Division of Ocean Sciences The Antarctic Journal is sold by the Brian A. Tinsley, Division of Atmospheric Sciences copy or on subscription through the Thomas 0. Wright, Division of Earth Sciences U.S. Government Printing Office. Re- Ronald R. La Count, Division of Polar Programs quests for prices of individual issues Whitney S. Slater, Division of Polar Programs and subscriptions, address changes, Ted E. DeLaca, Division of Polar Programs and information about other subscription matters should be sent to the Biological, Behavioral, and Social Sciences Directorate Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Richard T Louttit, Division of Behavioral and Neural Sciences Government Printing Office. Washing- ton, D.C. 20402. Engineering Directorate The Director of the National Science William S. Butcher, Engineering Infrastructure Development Office Foundation has determined that the publication

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