Natural-origin halogens, such as bromine and iodine, emitted by oceans and other ecosystems, played a fundamental role in the destruction of the ozone layer over the last century. This is the conclusion of an international study led by the Instituto de Química-Física Blas Cabrera (IQF-CSIC) in Spain.
The research demonstrated for the first time that these natural chemical compounds contributed to degrading the natural barrier that protects Earth from ultraviolet rays. In addition to having caused significant damage, natural halogens also contribute to delaying the recovery of the ozone layer.
The study reveals that it is not only synthetic substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), that threaten the ozone layer. Natural halogen emissions, although on a smaller scale, have a significant cumulative impact on the destruction process of this protective barrier.
This discovery has important implications for understanding atmospheric processes and may influence environmental protection policies, showing that the interaction between natural ecosystems and atmospheric chemistry is more complex than previously thought.
