With Geo-engineering Ozone Layer Hole Can Be Closed

by David Stephen
September 17, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1809/with-geo-engineering-ozone-layer-hole-can-be

Geo-engineering research is in a new phase with the recent announcement of Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) by UK Scientists; this research will take on Global Warming from the upper atmosphere.

Global warming results from growing accumulation of heat trapping gases in a part of the upper atmosphere called the troposphere; heat trapping gases are vital to support life on earth without which the average temperature of the earth will be about 91^oF colder than it is.

With growing carbon emission from anthropogenic activities, more of these gases will accumulate in the upper atmosphere trapping more heat the earth to increase its average temperature by 2degrees or more in some years from now.

Danger of this increase tied to diverse effects is what nations and the UN have moved to halt by looking at ways to cut and cap emissions relevant to heat trapping. Global and harmonized agreements towards this are gathering, but may take many years because of more burning issues like economy and security facing our world.

SPICE research is part of what the world needs to complement moves to cap and cut heat trapping emissions over the medium and long term. Around the target point of the SPICE research is what is known as the Ozone Layer useful to protect planet earth from harmful ultraviolet radiations.

The Ozone Layer contains oxygen gas and its allotropes are constantly in reactions forming the base for protection. Certain gases from what is termed Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) used by man escaped to that layer, on reaction with Ozone molecules, caused shortages to the amount of useful molecules for reactions creating depletion around those areas.

This depletion or ozone hole as it is sometimes called leaves part of the earth directly under it with dangers of harmful ultraviolet light and accompanying effects not safe for health and the environment. A research work present that delivering oxygen gas carried as liquid (by a balloon as in SPICE or an unmanned aircraft) from planet earth to depleted parts of the ozone layer should close it to a great extent.

When oxygen is discharged under very high pressure, it is expected to join in reactions for protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Since ODS available at the layer continuously attack ozone molecules turning them to compounds that cannot protect against harmful ultraviolet radiations, discharged oxygen will increase ozone amounts as ODS gradually fizzle out.

Reducing the use of ODS was the core of meetings involving nation in 1980's leading to agreements that are closely followed till date; studies however have put recovery of the ozone layer naturally and destruction of ODS in the atmosphere to about 50years from now. This is some time away as weather anomaly is rising globally and all contribution from the ozone hole is not exactly known.

As more connections are discovered from studies, artificial repair procedure stated in the Ozone Hole Repair research may be necessary as a quick fix to save man and the environment than the single option of natural repair in 50years or so. The experiment of this research is not so urgent because of efforts in place to avoid use of ODS and varying size of the ozone hole with seasons and in different parts of the earth, but scientific and technical review should come fast as a base for this and related experiments.

Related sites:

Ground Report

Geo-Engineering Watch

Geo-Engineers Inc

The Guardian: We need more evidence before we cast our vote

International Business Times: Artificial Volcano to Geo

The Engineer: Geo-engineering opponents

Financial Times: Geo-engineering US slipstream

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