Scientists have detected an unusually high concentration of ozone over the North Bay of Bengal, offering fresh insights into how ozone-rich air is transported through the atmosphere.
According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the unusual ozone layer was observed at an altitude of approximately 21–23 kilometres above the Earth’s surface and persisted for more than a day.
The finding is significant because ozone at different levels of the atmosphere plays different roles. While stratospheric ozone helps protect life from harmful ultraviolet radiation, ozone in other parts of the atmosphere can influence atmospheric chemistry and air quality.
Researchers say the observation provides valuable information about the movement and transport of ozone-rich air masses over the Bay of Bengal. Understanding these atmospheric processes can improve scientific knowledge of regional weather, climate and air-quality dynamics.
The discovery highlights the importance of continued atmospheric observations over the Indian region and could contribute to better understanding of interactions between the Indian Ocean, monsoon system and upper atmosphere.
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