Longer-lasting ozone holes over Antarctica expose the pups and chicks to much more UV.
www.rnz.co.nz
Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink.
But over the last four years, even as the hole has shrunk it has persisted for an unusually long time. Our new research found that instead of closing up during November it has stayed open well into December. This is early summer - the crucial period of new plant growth in coastal Antarctica and the peak breeding season for penguins and seals.
That's a worry. When the ozone hole forms, more ultraviolet rays get through the atmosphere. And while penguins and seals have protective covering, their young may be more vulnerable.
A series of unusual events between 2020 and 2023 saw the ozone hole persist into December. The record-breaking 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, the huge underwater volcanic eruption off Tonga, and three consecutive years of La Niña. Volcanoes and bushfires can inject ash and smoke into the stratosphere. Chemical reactions occurring on the surface of these tiny particulates can destroy ozone.
These longer-lasting ozone holes coincided with significant loss of sea ice, which meant many animals and plants would have had fewer places to hide.
What about marine creatures? Krill will dive deeper into the water column if the UV radiation is too high, while fish eggs usually have melanin, the same protective compound as humans, though not all fish life stages are as well protected.
Four of the past five years have seen sea ice extent reduce, A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
Less sea ice means more UV light can penetrate the ocean, where it makes it harder for Antarctic phytoplankton and krill to survive. Much relies on these tiny creatures, who form the base of the food web. If they find it harder to survive, hunger will ripple up THE FOOD CHAIN. Antarctica's waters are also getting warmer and more acidic DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
Also this post is worrisome. Please don't look it up.