Unusual Ozone Layer Enhancement over the North Bay of Bengal (Geography)
Unusual Ozone Layer Enhancement over the North Bay of Bengal (Geography)
Why In News:
Recently, an unusually thick ozone layer was detected over the North Bay of Bengal, a pattern scientists attribute to atmospheric dynamics.
Source: PIB Analysis, 10 August 2026- ‘Unusual Ozone Layer over North Bay of Bengal’
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2297177®=48&lang=1
Key Finding
Unusually thick ozone layer detected at 21-23 km altitude (stratosphere) over the North Bay of Bengal.
The enhancement persisted for more than a day, an unusually long duration for such events.
The event was observed both day and night, ruling out photochemical (sunlight-dependent) production as the primary driver.
Scientific Explanation: the Ozone Layer
Ozone (O3) is naturally concentrated in the stratosphere, roughly 15-35[1] [2] km above the surface, where it absorbs harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation.
Normal ozone formation is photochemical: UV radiation splits O2 molecules, and the resulting oxygen atoms combine with O2 to form O3 (the Chapman cycle).
In this event, enhancement occurred through atmospheric dynamics: atmospheric convection, wind shear, horizontal transport, vertical air movement and downward air motion.
Mechanism: ozone-rich air was transported horizontally, then moved downward, compressing the air mass and enhancing ozone concentration at that altitude.
Study and Instruments Used
Observations relied on the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign, using a 206.5 MHz Stratosphere-Troposphere Radar located at ARIES, Nainital.
Satellite data came from the Aura MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) and INSAT-3DR satellites.
Supporting tools included atmospheric modelling, ground-based atmospheric radars and weather balloons.
Key Facts for Prelims
ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences) is located at Nainital, Uttarakhand, under the Department of Science and Technology.
Tropospheric Ozone: Ozone is present in both the troposphere and stratosphere.
In the troposphere, ground-level ozone (“bad ozone”) is a harmful air pollutant and is a major component of urban smog.
It is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight.
Please check for accuracy...PIB says 25 to 30kmthat is maximum concentration: maximum concentration at altitudes of about 25–30 km.