Scientists Discover Unusual Ozone Layer Above North Bay of Bengal

Key facts

• An unusually thick ozone layer was detected at an altitude of 21-23 km in the lower stratosphere over the North Bay of Bengal.
• The discovery was made during the Phase-I NetRAD-ASMA campaign, a coordinated effort involving atmospheric research institutions across India.
• The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) played a key role using its indigenously developed 206.5 MHz Stratosphere-Troposphere (ST) Radar at Nainital.
• The enhanced ozone layer persisted for more than a day and was observed during both day and night, ruling out sunlight-driven chemical reactions as the primary cause.
• Analysis showed that downward air motion and compression of ozone-rich air in the lower stratosphere were responsible for the unusual ozone enhancement.
• The findings were published in the journal Earth and Space Science by the American Geophysical Union.