Ozone Layer Research and Technical Resources
Many organizations perform research on the ozone layerozone layerThe region of the stratosphere containing the bulk of atmospheric ozone. The ozone layer lies approximately 15-40 kilometers (10-25 miles) above the Earth's surface, in the stratosphere. Depletion of this layer by ozone depleting substances (ODS) will lead to higher UVB levels, which in turn will cause increased skin cancers and cataracts and potential damage to some marine organisms, plants, and plastics. The science page (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/index.html) offers much more detail on the science of ozone depletion., ozone layer depletion, and other topics related to stratospheric ozone layer protection. These include:
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Global Atmosphere Watch Exit. WMO’s atmospheric monitoring and research includes scientific assessments of ozone depletion.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ozone Hole Watch. NASA provides daily images, data, and information from satellite instruments that monitor the ozone layer and the ozone holeozone holeA thinning break in the stratospheric ozone layer. Designation of amount of such depletion as an "ozone hole" is made when the detected amount of depletion exceeds fifty percent. Seasonal ozone holes have been observed over both the Antarctic and Arctic regions, part of Canada, and the extreme northeastern United States..
- British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Ozone Hole Research Exit. BAS has been measuring ozone in the Antarctic since 1956. You can find the latest BAS report on the ozone hole, along with other links and data.
- United Nations Environment Programme's Ozone Secretariat Exit. This website provides information on the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer Exit, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer Exit, and related publications.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL). ESRL's Global Monitoring Division conducts research on the depletion of the global stratospheric ozone layer and Antarctic ozone.
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center. NOAA monitors the progression of the ozone hole from space and on the ground in Antarctica. This website shows the progression of the ozone hole for this year and prior years.
- World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre Exit. Find ozone information from Environment Canada and the WMO. Environment Canada also shares current and time series graphs of ozone and UV radiation over North America Exit.