Australia’s ‘Black Summer’ wildfire widened ozone hole by 10% in 2020, study finds
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia’s Black Summer wildfires in 2020 widened the ozone hole by 10 per cent, according to a new study that warns that smoke particles from such fires can erode the Earth’s protective layer shielding it from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Scientists identified a new chemical reaction by which smoke particles from the Australian wildfires made the ozone depletion worse. The study suggests the fires may have also eaten away at the edges of the ozone hole over Antarctica by late 2020, widening it by 2.5 million square kilometres, or about 10 per cent of its area compared to the previous year. While the United Nations recently noted that ozone depletion around the world is on a recovery track due to international efforts to phase out chemicals depleting the Earth’s protective layer, scientists say the long-term effect of wildfires on its recovery remain unclear.
History of this topic
Black Summer bushfires not a 'record first', analysis of 2,000-year Antarctic ice core history finds
ABC
New research reveals crucial insights on Antarctic ozone hole
Hindustan TimesSmoke particles from wildfires can erode ozone layer: MIT study
The HinduBlack Summer bushfire smoke altered ozone-depleting chemicals in atmosphere, study finds
ABC
Deadly wildfires are making new hole in the ozone layer, scientists warn
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