A new study has highlighted the complex relationship between methane emissions and the recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer warning that rising methane levels could slow ozone restoration especially in polar regions.
The ozone layer, which shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, has shown signs of recovery due to global efforts like the Montreal Protocol. However the study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, suggests that future ozone replenishment remains uncertain due to global warming and human activities.
Researchers from Beijing Normal University emphasize that methane plays a dual role while it is a potent greenhouse gas driving global warming, it also triggers complex chemical interactions that impact ozone levels. Understanding these dual effects is crucial for predicting ozone recovery and its climate implications.
Using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (version 4), scientists simulated the combined effects of methane, carbon dioxide, and sea surface temperatures under the high-emission Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario for 2050. Their findings suggest that rising methane levels could significantly alter ozone recovery, particularly in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Methane and other ozone precursors, much like ozone itself, have both harmful and beneficial properties depending on their atmospheric location. This underscores the need for deeper research to refine climate models and assess future ozone recovery impacts.
Researchers plan to expand their study to include additional climate factors and provide a more comprehensive understanding of ozone layer restoration. Their goal is to equip policymakers and scientists with insights to effectively tackle both ozone recovery and climate change challenges