A new study identified four types of man-made gases that deplete the ozone layer -- three chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gases and one hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) gas. This can possibly be evidence that humans have contributed on the progression of climate change.
The ozone layer acts as a shield of Earth from the harmful radiation of the Sun. Scientists believe that without it, life would have not existed in our planet.
In 1985, scientists from the British Antarctic Survey have found a huge "hole" in the Earth's ozone layer over Antarctica, which is believed to be due to CFC gases. CFC gases were invented in the 1920s and were prominently used in hairsprays, deodorants, and refrigeration, but after the discovery of its effect in the ozone, production of these substances was limited. In 2010, a step that would completely prohibit production of these gases was approved.
However, further studies conducted by the researchers from the University of East Anglia added some new destructing gases that are getting into the ozone. The origin of these gases, on the other hand, is still unidentified. They studied the polar firm, perennial snow pack, and modern air samples from Cape Grim in Tasmania wherein they discovered the four new gases.
Approximately 74,000 tons of these gases were freed into the atmosphere, with two of the new gases building up at significant rates.
"Our research has shown four gases that were not around in the atmosphere at all until the 1960s which suggests they are man-made," said lead researcher Johannes Laube, M.D. to BBC News. "The identification of these four new gases is very worrying as they will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer."
"We don't know where the new gases are being emitted from and this should be investigated. Possible sources include feedstock chemicals for insecticide production and solvents for cleaning electronic components," Laube added.
Moreover, the CFCs cannot be easily destroyed, so even if the release of the CFC gases were stalled immediately, they would still linger for the next years.
Further details on this study can be read on the March 9 issue of Nature Geoscience.
