Scientists discover unusual ozone layer above North Bay of Bengal

Key Highlights:

• Scientists detected an unusually high concentration of ozone in the upper atmosphere over the North Bay of Bengal.
• This thick ozone layer was found at an altitude of 21 to 23 kilometres and persisted for more than a day.
• The discovery was made by scientists from institutions including the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) during the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign.
• The research utilized a countrywide network of atmospheric radars, weather balloons, and satellites like Aura MLS and INSAT-3DR.
• The indigenously developed Stratosphere–Troposphere (ST) Radar at ARIES, Nainital, was a key instrument in data collection.

Detailed Insights:

• The finding provides quantitative experimental evidence of stratospheric ozone redistribution over the Indian subtropical region during winter.
• The unusual ozone enhancement was primarily attributed to the transport of ozone-rich air, followed by downward atmospheric motion and compression.
• This observation suggests that sunlight-driven photochemical processes were unlikely to be the main cause of the accumulation.
• The study helps researchers better understand how atmospheric circulation and dynamical processes influence ozone distribution in the stratosphere.
• It underscores the value of coordinated observations from atmospheric research facilities across India and the contribution of indigenous technology.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Ozone Layer: A region in Earth's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Stratosphere–Troposphere (ST) Radar: A type of radar used to measure atmospheric parameters like wind velocity and turbulence in the lower atmosphere.
• Atmospheric Circulation: The large-scale movement of air in the atmosphere, driven by solar heating and Earth's rotation, influencing weather and climate.