UV Dosage Levels in Summer: Increased Risk of Ozone Loss from Convectively Injected Water Vapor

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1222978
• Publication Date: 2012-07-27T20:27:38Z
• Authors: James G. Anderson; David M. Wilmouth; Jessica B. Smith; David S. Sayres
• Keywords: Ozone Depletion; Montreal Protocol

The observed presence of water vapor convectively injected deep into the stratosphere over United States can fundamentally change catalytic chlorine/bromine free-radical chemistry lower by shifting total available inorganic chlorine catalytically active form, ClO. This chemical shift markedly affects ozone loss rates and makes system extraordinarily sensitive to convective injection mid-latitude in summer. Were intensity frequency increase as a result climate forcing continued addition CO(2) CH(4) atmosphere, increased risk associated increases ultraviolet dosage would follow.