Today, September 16, is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, a commemoration of the day in 1987 when nations commenced the signing of the Montreal Protocol to limit and eventually ban ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chlorine and bromine-containing compounds. The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite acquired data for this map of ozone concentrations over Antarctica July 1, 2010 thru September 13, 2010.

The yearly depletion of stratospheric ozone over Antarctica — more commonly referred to as the “ozone hole” — started in early August 2010 and is now expanding toward its annual maximum. The hole in the ozone layer typically reaches its maximum area in late September or early October. You can follow the progress of the ozone hole by visiting NASA’s Ozone Hole Watch page: ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/

NASA Goddard atmospheric scientists are active members of the International Ozone Commission and the ozone scientific assessment panel for the United Nations Environment Program, which monitors the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol. Media wishing to speak to a Goddard scientist about the status of the ozone layer, please contact: Sarah DeWitt at [email protected] / 301-286-0535.

To view and or download the still file go to: www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/4994781316/

To learn more or to download this file go to: ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Credit: NASA/GSFC

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