Antarctica's Extended Ozone Hole Raises Concerns For Penguin And Seal Breeding

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Longer-lasting ozone holes over Antarctica expose seal pups and penguin chicks to much more UV

Andrew NetherwoodOver the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. But over the last four years, even as the hole has shrunk it has persisted for an unusually long time. Our new research found that instead of closing up during November it has stayed open well into December. This is early summer – the crucial period of new plant growth in coastal Antarctica and the peak breeding season for pe…