Could stratospheric ozone depletion lead to enhanced aquatic primary production in the polar regions?

Abstract

We study the effects of ozone depletion on primary production in ice‐covered and open polar waters using a spectral radiative transfer model combined with a parameterization of the inhibition of marine photosynthesis by ultraviolet radiation. We find that ozone depletion might not have a negative influence on the aquatic algal community at high latitudes but instead could enhance primary production. For an ozone depletion of 50%, we estimate the yearly averaged enhancement to be about 1%.

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