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Researchers Find Four New Man-Made Gases Contributing To Ozone Depletion

By Kamal Nayan | Update Date: Mar 10, 2014 03:35 PM EDT

Researchers have discovered for new man-made gases that are now contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer. They noted that two out of four were accumulating at a rate that is a matter of concern. 

Since the mid of 1980s, mainly it was chloroflurocarbon (CFC) that caused the ozone layer depletion. 

"Our research has shown four gases that were not around in the atmosphere at all until the 1960s which suggests they are man-made," said lead researcher Dr Johannes Laube, according to BBC

Researchers added that to know the precise origin of the newly discovered substances required substantial research and at the present they were unsure. 

"The identification of these four new gases is very worrying as they will contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer," said Dr Laube.

"We don't know where the new gases are being emitted from and this should be investigated. Possible sources include feedstock chemicals for insecticide production and solvents for cleaning electronic components."

"What's more, the three CFCs are being destroyed very slowly in the atmosphere - so even if emissions were to stop immediately, they will still be around for many decades to come," he added. 

Hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica was first discovered in 1985 by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Regarding the newly disturbing elements, experts said work would have to be done while the concentration is still small. 

"This paper highlights that ozone depletion is not yet yesterday's story," said Prof Piers Forster, from the University of Leeds, according to BBC.

"The concentrations found in this study are tiny. Nevertheless, this paper reminds us we need to be vigilant and continually monitor the atmosphere for even small amounts of these gases creeping up, either through accidental or unplanned emissions.

"Of the four species identified, CFC-113a seems the most worrying as there is a very small but growing emission source somewhere, maybe from agricultural insecticides. We should find it and take it out of production."

The research has been published in the journal, Nature Geoscience.

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