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Nature 439, 275-277 (19 January 2006) | doi:10.1038/439275a; Published online 18 January 2006

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Atmospheric chemistry: Biogenic bromine

Ross J. Salawitch1

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Among other effects, bromine released by biological processes in the oceans apparently reduces ozone levels in the troposphere. This source may be a link between atmospheric composition and climate change.

Bromine compounds from organic halogens (halons) used in fire extinguishers and from methyl bromide, which has anthropogenic and natural sources, cause about half of the chemical loss that results in the Antarctic 'ozone hole' in the stratosphere. Low levels of ozone in the atmosphere's lowermost layer, the troposphere, during the polar spring result from bromine released from melting sea ice and 'frost flowers'.

  1. Ross J. Salawitch is at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, USA.
    Email: ross.salawitch@jpl.nasa.gov

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