Ozone layer is healing, but surge in rocket launches can cause the damage again
Researchers have confirmed that the Ozone layer is on its way to healing from the depletion that caused the Ozone hole in the atmosphere. However, the Earth could lose all the progress because of an upsurge in rocket launches expected during the same period.
The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth's surface. It covers the entire planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun. Destruction of the ozone layer became a major international issue in 1985 when the “ozone hole" was discovered over Antarctica.
According to a PTI report, the combustion of rocket fuels means contemporary rockets create a suite of gaseous and particulate exhaust products, including carbon dioxide, water vapor, black carbon, alumina, reactive chloride, and nitrogen oxides. These products are known to destroy ozone. Over the coming decades, the launch industry is set to expand considerably. Financial estimates indicate the global space industry could grow to USD 3.7 trillion by 2040.
Soot and aluminum oxide in rocket oxide deplete upper-atmosphere ozone, which shields the Earth's surface from damaging ultraviolet rays, the report added.