Scientists have discovered that the Earth’s atmosphere is capable of self-purification
Researchers found that since the 1980s, the concentration of the hydroxyl radical (OH), which plays a key role in removing air pollutants, has increased in the atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere. Scientists came to the conclusion that this testifies to the ability of the atmosphere to self-clean, informs Phys.org.
Scientists analyzed the air in New Zealand and Antarctica, studying for 33 years one of the most powerful atmospheric oxidizers — OH, as well as identified radioactive carbon monoxide (14CO). For this, advanced methods were used, because the “tiny chemical absorber” OH quickly reacts with other compounds, in particular methane, which contributes to global warming.
“OH consists of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom with a free unpaired electron. It is formed in the atmosphere when ultraviolet light from the Sun hits ozone in the presence of water vapor. It reacts with harmful trace gases, including carbon monoxide and methane in the lowest layers of the atmosphere – the troposphere, which extends to an average height of 11 kilometers from the earth’s surface”. – explained scientist Silvia Nikol.
The authors of the study believe that this tendency towards self-cleaning of the atmosphere helped to weaken the processes of global warming.
“These findings suggest that the hydroxyl-driven oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere has been increasing over recent decades. The results support our models and data from around the world that suggest OH is increasing.” – note the researchers.
