CIESIN SEDAC icon NASA logo home page icon
Stratospheric Ozone and Human Health Project

WMO LOGO WORLD
METEOROLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
UNITED NATIONS
ENVIRONMENT
PROGRAMME
UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

Report of the Third Meeting of the Ozone Research Managers




7.     ADOPTION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

      It is evident from observations during both Antarctic and Northern hemispheric springs that the loss of ozone in the stratosphere is getting stronger, it is far from being stabilized and is unlikely to do so for the coming decade. At the same time the tropospheric loading of ozone depleting substances is only beginning to stabilize, and increases in greenhouse gas concentrations are probably affecting stratospheric temperatures and circulation. There is still a wide range of uncertainties, therefore the meeting carefully reviewed and adopted a number of recommendations listed in paragraphs 7.1 through 7.5. Although considerable progress in our understanding of stratospheric ozone processes has occurred during the last three years, many of the recommendations are essentially those of the Second Meeting of Ozone Research Managers with small changes of emphasis reflecting the current situation and recent achievements. This approach was taken because of the obvious continuing validity of many of the earlier recommendations .

7.1       Preamble

7.1.1     The meeting reemphasized that the overall goal of research activities is to understand the physics, chemistry and transport processes of atmospheric ozone, with particular emphasis on accurate assessment of possible perturbations caused by human activities as well as by natural phenomena. This will require continuity of a comprehensive programme of systematic observations, process studies, emission scenario, development, and predictive modelling. Continuity in each of these activities, in particular ground-based and satellite observations, is essential .

7.1.2     Furthermore, the meeting identified several high priority broad scientific objectives to guide future work on the ozone issue, as recommended in this chapter.

a.   Firstly there is an urgent need to characterize the chemical and meteorological conditions leading to stratospheric ozone changes, in polar regions, mid latitudes and tropics in both hemispheres. In particular it is important to establish the quantitative understanding of the conditions for ozone decline in the Arctic, taking into account the rapid development of the Antarctic spring ozone depletion following the rise in bromine and chlorine loading above 2 ppb.

b.   There is also an urgent need to improve the current generation of models coupling the atmospheric chemistry and transport through the continued development of coupled 3D chemistry/climate models so that a reliable predictive capability for the future ozone layer can be developed.

c.   In view of the significance of ozone changes in both the stratosphere and troposphere with respect to the radiative forcing, improved measurements of the vertical ozone distribution are necessary to delineate the altitude and latitude of the changes, to facilitate calculations of their potential effects on climate as well as the effect of other greenhouse gases on ozone production and destruction.

d.   There is a need for obtaining a much improved knowledge of the lower stratosphere and its chemical and dynamical coupling with the upper troposphere where ozone measurements are of great importance, particularly to facilitate important predictions of the effects of supersonic - high altitude flying, as well as subsonic civil transport.

e.   The climatology in spatial and temporal resolution of ultraviolet radiation needs to be delineated to provide a basis for evaluation of biological and human effects of ozone depletion. In particular high spectral resolution measurements of UV-B radiation (< 1nm) are needed to be greatly increased on a global basis. Understanding of the relationship between UV radiation and other atmospheric variables, such as ozone changes, other trace gases, cloudiness and aerosols need to be improved to enable development of predictive algorithms.

f.   In the light of increasing evidence of continuous ozone depletion in both hemispheres, it is essential to improve understanding of effects of UV-B and UVA radiation on living systems, although their enormous diversity make a general appraisal very difficult. The effects are characterized as "action spectra" There is an evolutionary process in understanding the effects of UV-B therefore, in the first instance exposure under natural conditions needs to be investigated because most "action spectra" available today have been estimated from laboratory experiments.

g.   Measurement capabilities for trace halocarbons such as CH3Br, the HFCs, and the HCFCs need to be augmented (or developed as necessary) and maintained over a sufficient period of time to facilitate testing of our understanding of the sources, sinks, and lifetimes of these compounds.

7.2       Systematic Measurements

7.2.1     Ozone Network

        Goal:

        To provide the basis for understanding the ozone regime and its trends.

        Progress:

        Nine new total ozone stations have been established during the past four years and new measurements of surface ozone have been initiated at several mountain sites (eg, La Quiaca 3459m in Argentina, El Tololo 2220m in Chile and Waliguan 3806m in China). There has been some improvement in the extent of measurements of ozone profiles, particularly in Northern Europe and a new spectrometer and one ozone sonde station were established in Siberia. These are listed in Annex D. However, total ozone instruments at most stations in Russia have not received essential calibrations for more than three years. The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) instrument has been in orbit since April 1995 and is expected to supplement availability of operational data in addition to currently available SBUV/2, new TOMS (August 1996) and TOVS sensors .

        Approach:

        The systematic measurements of total ozone and its vertical distribution (in both the stratosphere and troposphere) carried out within the framework of the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch-Global Ozone Observing System (GO3OS), by satellites and some stations equipped with high technology instruments such as under the NDSC should continue without interruption. These observations would assure mutual quality control of the systems and give confidence in the global coverage. in particular:

a.   There is a continuing acute need to augment ground-based measurements of total ozone and the vertical ozone distribution by ozone sondes especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America. There is a need for long-term monitoring of total ozone with satellite instruments and further improvement of satellite techniques for monitoring the vertical distribution of ozone. The value of all profile measurements increases greatly if carried out with an improved vertical resolution.

b.   Ozone sonde measurements are essential for determining the vertical distribution of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone the latter being an important factor in climate change as well as ozone chemistry. Continuation of existing ozone sounding stations is encouraged and it is recommended that soundings are made at least once a week and more frequently during winter-spring. Less frequent observations are not suitable for trend evaluation. Implementation of ozone sonde programmes should be considered at remote island stations in the Southern Hemisphere oceans, particularly at latitudes where large ozone decreases have been observed and where vertical profile measurements are currently non-existent. Where possible ozone sonde data should have a vertical resolution of 50 m or better.

c.   With regard to measurements of the vertical ozone distribution, special efforts should be given to continue and expand ozone soundings, Umkehr, microwave and lidar measurements and for the development of more reliable satellite observation techniques. There are significant benefits from simultaneous measurements with different techniques which should be pursued. Also, because uncertainties from normalizing sonde profiles are much larger when the sonde fails to reach its desirable high altitude, high quality balloons should always be used. All methods need to be intercompared and it is important to thoroughly characterize the different sonde types as is being done by WMO sponsored laboratory and field compaigns.

d.   Correction for aerosol effects in the retrieval of ozone profiles from Umkehr measurements should be pursued with high priority. Data from simultaneous Umkehr and aerosol and ozone lidar measurements should be obtained wherever possible so that the correction method can be thoroughly developed and tested. All the available 40,000 Umkehr profiles should be reevaluated with aerosol correction in an attempt to deduce as much information as possible on the vertical ozone distribution during the past 35 years. Umkehr retrieval from Brewer measurements including aerosol correction should also be made operational.

e.   Surface ozone measurements in background conditions both in lower and in high mountain altitudes can help provide information that relates to free tropospheric ozone concentrations and the causes of tropospheric ozone changes. The need for extensive spatially well resolved data on free- troposphere ozone indicates the desirability of installing ozone sensors in commercial aircraft as done in the MOZAIC programme. Because the concentrations of the near-inert tracer species such as nitrous oxide, methane, CFC's or Be7 indicate the history of sampled air, simultaneous measurements of any of these with ozone should be instigated whenever possible.

f.   All types of commonly used instruments for total ozone measurements in GOODS should be subject to regular calibrations, standardization and periodic, at least every 3 years, international intercomparisons. Retroactive application of the necessary correction is essential. The reference instruments of the types in common use should be intercorr1pared exhaustively. The WMO should actively support the transfer of calibration to field Brewer sites equivalently to what it does for the Dobson's through intercomparisons and, similarly, regular calibrations for the filter instruments should be vigorously supported. A central registry at the WMO World Ozone Data Centre of software in use at the different Brewer sites is recommended.

g.   Satellite measurements of the ozone column and profile should be continued. The combination of well calibrated ground instruments and satellites will provide the global picture of ozone changes. Continuation of satellite measurement of spectrally resolved solar radiation outside the atmosphere is also recommended for investigation of the solar cycle influence on ozone.

h.   It is recommended that stations consider submitting in near-real-time preliminary data from sondes and on total ozone to the Norwegian Institute for Air Research and the University of Thessaloniki respectively not just during the winter months but throughout the whole year. Those who submit data will have immediate access to the data base. This preliminary submission does not exclude the regular submission of all data to World Ozone Data Centre-Toronto (see (i)). The accumulation of these data will facilitate the use of ozone measurements in numerical weather prediction models which is under development in several agencies and which offers considerable advances in ozone research.

i.   The submission of quality controlled data on total ozone and its vertical distribution to the WMO World Ozone Data Centre in Toronto is a necessity for the optimum evaluation of trends and for many other studies. Data should be submitted within two months of the measurement. The data becomes available within a further month to all users. Research managers are reminded that this open availability of ozone data is requested by the Vienna Convention. It will be noted that this and the previous paragraph infer two separate submissions for both data types.

j.   The provision of measurements and data of high quality requires that special attention is given to the continuous training of personnel. This is tremendously important for strengthening activities in developing countries where neither the training nor the computing facilities are sufficient to follow even the most basic of the above recommendations.

7.2.2     Long-Term Observations of Ozone-Related Chemical Constituents

        Goal:

        To observe the chemical and physical state of the atmosphere with particular attention to the stratosphere whereby changes can be detected and understood.

        Progress:

        Continuing efforts have been made to augment the ground based Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) and the contributing Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). GAW is mainly involved in tropospheric monitoring of CO2, CH4, N20, CO, O3, CFC's and halogenated species. The NDSC is contributing information on stratospheric concentrations of important species such as ClO, NOx. New techniques for the measurement of some HCFC's have been developed. The NDSC now lists 16 Primary and 28 Complementary sites.

        Approach:

a.   Support the operation of the NDSC for which there is currently a commitment for a set of high-quality ground-based remote-sensing research stations that observe ozone, key ozone-related chemical compounds such as CIO, NOx and other parameters (e.g. temperature). The NDSC stratospheric data will be complemented by the use of satellites and additional GAW stations of global importance of which about two dozen are operating or at an advance implementation stage.

b.   In addition measurements of carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, all CFCs, Halons, HCFCs, HFCs and methyl bromide, should be included in the mentioned monitoring programmes in view of their important role in the chlorine and bromine budgets of the stratosphere. It is important to note that accurate measurements of iodine in the stratosphere could significantly reduce current uncertainties in predicted ozone depletion.

7.3       Processes studies

        Ozone, although being a minor constituent, plays a central role in the atmospheric system. The understanding of the processes that produce, influence, and may modify the ozone distribution in the atmosphere requires the detailed analysis of different phenomena and the knowledge of a large number of parameters. Also minor constituents, even at concentrations much smaller than ozone, may produce large impacts. Thus the studies on the emission of trace gases, their behaviour in the troposphere, the tropospheric-stratospheric exchange processes, and the radiative, dynamical and chemical phenomena that are of major relevance for the stratosphere, should be continued and possibly enforced. Interactions at the surface with the biosphere and geosphere, and the solar radiation should also be taken into account. Moreover, the improvement of the ability to foresee future changes produced by climatic variations on the ozone distributions, and by the ozone changes on climate, requires further efforts. In particular, the large efforts dedicated to the problem, through field measurements, laboratory experiments and modelling studies, should be continued for a better understanding of the ozone changes and their possible consequences.

The discussion of the ozone processes studies has been divided into four sections (stratospheric changes, tropospheric ozone, short-term ozone predictions, and long-term trends and interactions with climate); however strong inter-dependences exist, and the positive interaction among these sections should be strongly encouraged.

7.3.1     Stratospheric Changes

        Goal:

        In order to understand the stratospheric changes different aspects have to be considered and investigated:

-   the extent and causes of ozone changes with a particular emphasis on the role of the polar regions, but also on middle and lower latitudes;

-   the atmospheric environmental behaviour and consequences of human produced halocarbons;

-   the physical, chemical, geological, biological and social processes that control the atmospheric abundances of compounds influencing ozone distribution, primarily halocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, with particular emphasis on aircraft emissions.

-   the extent to which processes involving polar stratospheric clouds and sulphuric acid aerosols can augment the release of active chlorine species and thereby reorder the importance of the various catalytic cycles for ozone destruction and have a deeper understanding of the extent to which these processes could occur in the stratospheric aerosol layer.

        Progress:

        Progress has been achieved during the last three years on a few of the related topics:

-   in addition to the continuous GO3OS observations and extended deployments of measuring systems in polar regions, at mid-and low latitudes, dedicated campaign studies were conducted on national and international basis, and data on ozone and various chemical constituents became available from different satellite instruments e.g., Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME);

-   progress in the generation of laboratory data delineating atmospheric lifetimes of many halogenated compounds (in use and proposed) was reported;

-   there have been continuous measurements of rare species at a number of GAW background stations of global importance, and specific additional expeditions have been performed. Studies on the vertical distribution of trace-gases and on the relevance of stratospheric\tropospheric exchange have been carried out;

-   improved understanding of PSC and sulphur aerosols in affecting the partition between various species in the stratosphere has been achieved. New questions arose on the low temperature behaviour, physical state, and chemical composition of the aerosols;

-   progress in the national inventories of greenhouse gasses emissions have been reported. The availability of new data on the emissions, and their utilization, allows a better understanding of the role of trace gases in the stratosphere and troposphere.

        Approach:

        To face the different aspects of the stratospheric investigation an interdisciplinary effort is needed. Long-term routine measurements from the ground, balloons, aircrafts and space, must be continued, and more specific campaigns, addressing the system in its complexity, must be organized and coordinated. The results of these activities must be analysed utilizing all the available information, and interpreted with the help of model calculations. Complex models, aimed at the study of the evolution of the air parcels, should be preferably adopted in the interpretation of the coordinated observations. Additional laboratory studies and field measurements must be addressed to the study of the photolysis and oxidation of halons, HCFCs, HFCs, methyl chloroform, and methyl bromide under stratospheric and tropospheric conditions. Experimental and theoretical studies on the cycling and distribution of the trace gases influencing ozone distribution in the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems, oceans and sediments must be performed. The exchange of gases between the stratosphere and troposphere, between the atmosphere and the oceans, between the atmosphere and the terrestrial ecosystems and the influence of human actions on the carbon and nitrogen cycles need further investigation. Specific requirements include:

a.   To carry out periodic intensive measurement campaigns of trace substances particularly when regional perturbation in the chemistry and/or dynamics is expected;

b.   To continue investigation of the stratosphere of both polar regions, in, at the edge of and outside the vortex, and at mid-latitudes throughout a complete winter-spring cycle. To quantitatively determine the interactions between high and mid-latitudes, and estimate their influence on the mid- latitude ozone decrease;

c.   To develop a better understanding of the chemistry and lifetimes of the sources of both natural and anthropogenic trace gases which may affect ozone. In particular, capabilities for monitoring of the build-up methyl bromide, HCFCs, and HCFCs, should be expanded. The possible role of iodine compounds in the stratospheric chemistry should be assessed;

d.   To study the biogeochemical cycling of halocarbons and the possible role of ozone interfering gases such as SO2;

e.   To deploy and use high capacity high flying aircrafts for intensive field campaigns. To use commercial aircrafts to probe the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere;

f.   To continue the improvement of process-oriented models for both planning campaigns and interpretation of their data, as well as for understanding the conditions for the ozone changes;

g.   To expand the measurements of semi-inert tracers such as N20, CH4, and CFCs in order to obtain a better knowledge of dynamical processes in the stratosphere;

h.   To improve the understanding of the oxidizing effectiveness of the atmosphere, particularly by a better definition of the global distribution of hydroxyl radical, in order to obtain a better knowledge of the fate of the used and proposed substitutes and their degradation products;

i.   To develop emissions functions and methodologies to define anthropogenic source strengths of methyl bromide primarily, the HCFCs and HFCs to an appropriate standard of accuracy. Collection of data on emissions from agriculture, soils, and relative to the dynamic of land use changes should also be encouraged;

j.   To conduct further laboratory studies of heterogeneous chemistry involving PSC surrogates and sulphur containing aerosol precursors under conditions representative of the real atmosphere, mainly at low stratospheric temperatures;

k.   To continue the systematic use of field measurements, including lidar and other profiling techniques, to establish the atmospheric distribution of aerosols and PSCs;

l.   To continue field studies to sample the composition and characteristics of aerosols in the stratosphere as well as to improve the understanding of the aerosol formation processes there.

7.3.2     Tropospheric Ozone

        Goal:

        To establish, evaluate and describe the processes that control tropospheric ozone distribution .

        Progress:

        Continuous measurements indicate that tropospheric ozone has increased in the Northern Hemisphere mainly, with little or no change in the Southern Hemisphere and that the tropospheric ozone increase in the tropical regions is associated with biomass burning events.

        Approach:

a.   Simultaneous measurements of tropospheric ozone and ozone precursor gases (i.e., NOx, CO, NMHC) at different latitudes with special emphasis on the tropical regions and on the Southern Hemisphere where little information exists;

b.   Improvement of current estimates of trace-gas fluxes that intervene in the photochemical processes of the troposphere;

c.   Improvements of existing tropospheric photochemical-dynamical models;

d.   Promotion of international measurements campaigns in the troposphere;

e.   Estimate of the climatic influence of the tropospheric ozone trends.

7.3.3     Short-term Ozone Prediction for UV Forecasts

        Goal:

        Establish predictive capability for ozone distribution, aimed at forecasting UV levels on the ground over a short time range.

        Progress:

        A predictive capability has been implemented, using statistical analysis and weather forecast data. Such models are presently operational in several countries. Process studies combining numerical models and observational data have been performed to improve the short-term predictive capability. Model intercomparisons have elucidated some of the reasons for the differences in various model results and increased confidence in predictions, allowing at the same time the development of more detailed parameterizations to be included in models used for longer term analysis.

        Approach:

        Improve models, both of numerical-dynamical and statistical character, to provide reliable short-term predictions. Verify the results of the models and determine their accuracy by comparison with observations. Increase the number of stations measuring the vertical ozone profile at high resolution, to obtain both a more complete description of the stratospheric structure, and to constitute a reliable data-set to be used as an input in dynamical models. To further develop appropriate data assimilation systems to generate consistent analyses of the ozone distribution.

7.3.4     Long-term Trends and Interactions with Climate

        Goals:

        Estimate past and future trends of ozone depletion on a decadal scale. Understand in a quantitative sense the influence of changes in the ozone distribution on climate and conversely the effects of climate change on ozone.

        Progress:

        Improvements of numerical models for long-term analysis have been achieved by studies made during the past three years. These studies allowed a better description of chemical, dynamical and radiative processes affecting ozone, and the verification of the model results by comparison with field measurements. The Ozone Depletion Potentials (ODP) for several new compounds have been evaluated using both semi-empirical and modelling approaches. Some calculations have been performed to explain the climatic effects of the lower stratosphere ozone decline (resulting cooling) and tropospheric ozone increase (resulting warming).

        Approach:

a.   Further development of fully interactive 3-D climate models, which include aerosol, to provide a detailed description of the radiative, chemical and dynamical processes that, their balance being particularly important in the lower stratosphere, strongly influence the ozone distribution;

b.   Improvement of the model description of tropospheric processes, including those which determine OH distribution, in order to estimate the impact of HCFCs on future ozone levels;

c.   Improvement of the use of Lagrangian models for the evaluation and planning of field studies of the stratosphere in order to further understand the physical and chemical processes;

d.   Further development of adequate parameterization for the heterogeneous processes in the lower stratosphere;

e.   Use of ozone scenarios in climate models and use climate scenarios to predict changes in the ozone distribution;

f.   Continue the detailed measurement and analysis of stratospheric and tropospheric variables. Encourage Meteorological Services to use regularly balloons for soundings able to reach at least 10 hPa. Use new platforms such as high altitude aircraft in order to extend the range of measurements above the commonly sampled altitudes.

7.4       Impacts

        Preamble:

        Even with an immediate phaseout of all CFCs and related compounds, current levels of chlorine and bromine loading in the atmosphere commits us to an unavoidable decrease in stratospheric ozone well into the next century. Systematic measurements of ground UV-B radiation are necessary in order to conduct ecological and human health research and must be pursued in order to develop adaptive strategies to those ozone decreases.

7.4.1     Systematic measurement of ground-level ultraviolet radiation

        Goal:

        To document and understand UV-B and UV-A surface radiation in sufficient detail to develop UV climatology, to predict future radiative transfer changes and their effects on the biosphere and geosphere and to validate the radiative transfer models.

        Progress:

        Many countries have established networks of spectral and broadband instruments for UV measurements. Biological dosimeters have been developed, satellite measurements are being used for UV mapping. Some countries have set up public awareness campaigns;

        As there was no common approach to UV-B measurement methodology, calibration and UV-B data dissemination, an international ad hoc committee on UV measurements was appointed in 1994. The committee will be responsible for providing assessment and guidance on measurement techniques, calibration, data acquisition and UV modelling and liaising with the effects community. Recommendation from the committee will be reported to and promulgated by WMO;

        Although it has not been possible to establish a trend in UV levels due to a lack of long-term data, measurements from several stations indicate increases in UV that are consistent with decreasing ozone.

        It was noted that some UV data was being sent to the World Data Centre, Canada and strongly recommended that this activity should be followed by all stations in a coherent manner.

        Approach:

a.   The fundamental requirement is for measured data that can be compared with results from models. UV measurements must be made simultaneously and co-located with other measurements which relate to the optical state of the atmosphere (cloud cover, aerosols and trace gases). The data must have spectral, temporal and angular resolution appropriate for validation of model calculations and for evaluation of biological effects (spectral resolution better than < 1 nm). Tentative specifications for the UV-B data and ancillary measurements are listed in Annex E. Requirements for UV-A radiation are less stringent but also important to provide additional information and internal calibration permitting assessments of instrument performance and stability;

b.   Special sites in different geographical regions need to be developed for high-precision UV-B monitoring;

c.   The limited number of reliable UV-B data makes their interpretation difficult however, analysis methodology should be developed at an early stage.

7.4.2     Research related to Health and Environmental Effects of Ozone Modification

        Goal:

        To understand the human health, biological and socio-economic implications of ultraviolet radiation changes at the earth's surface. Particular attention must be given to the impact on ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial), biodiversity and human health. This work should be supported by studies at the cellular and subcellular level.

        Studies should be conducted on effects of UV-B radiation on:

-   Aquatic ecosystems: in particular attention should be given to phytoplankton populations (and associated effects on nutrient cycling), fisheries and the biodiversity of aquatic organisms;

-   Terrestrial ecosystems: in particular long term effects on forests, food production, natural ecosystems and biodiversity;

-   Health: particularly effects on the immune system (infectious diseases, vaccinations) the skin (melanoma) and the eyes (cataract).

        Progress :

        The goals in general have not been achieved. The UNEP Panel on Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion observed also that most of the research needs in the previous report had to be listed again. Funding has been too low to facilitate the progress as needed.

        Approach:

a.   The establishment of base line data on biological systems affected by increasing UV-B radiation;

b.   Studies are required to establish the interaction of other environmental factors associated with climate change (e.g. elevated CO2; increased temperatures) and pollution with elevated UV-B levels on biological systems;

c.   Improve international co-ordination/co-operation to ensure that all areas of UV-B impact research are covered.

7. 5       General Recommendations

7.5.1     The recent increase in international co-ordination of research and systematic observations (e.g. the WMO-Global Atmosphere Watch including GOODS and contributions by NDSC, the Commission of European Communities (CEC) Environment Programme) is welcomed and should be expanded in the future. The pivotal role of WMO and UNEP in such activities should be recognized and strongly supported.

7.5.2     The Parties to the Convention are encouraged to consider training and technical assistance for developing countries through:

a.   bilateral or multilateral assistance to increase the collaborative research projects including the establishment of additional monitoring stations and their maintenance; these collaborative projects between developed countries and developing countries or those with transitional economies can yield valuable scientific results.

b.   courses, ozone symposia and demonstration projects in ozone observation and research.

7.5.3     WMO should continue to provide guidance and infrastructure for the maintenance and calibration of existing GO3OS stations giving special attention to the quality control and assurance procedures. The supporting activities of the central calibration laboratories for Dobsons (NOAA Boulder) and for Brewers (AES-Toronto) and for filter instruments (MGO - St. Petersburg) should be strengthened in order to meet the increased demand for higher data quality.

7.5.4     The Vienna Convention Secretariat should continue to collect information within the framework of the Convention on national research activities and to distribute them widely.

7.5.5     Efforts should be made to improve data management practices and transfer of information on ozone and precursor gases. The countries operating ozone and UV-B stations should make sure they submit their verified data to the WMO World Ozone and UV Data Centres-Toronto within two months of the date of observation.

7.5.6     Emission data of trace gases of anthropogenic origin should be compiled and made available to researchers.

7.5.7     The long-term planning and organization that is necessary to realize value from complex, multilateral field research experiments can be rendered possible by assuring systematic funding of these projects by different interested agencies.

7.5.8     In response to the call by the UNCED adopted Agenda 21 for further improvements of the Global Ozone Observing System (Rio de Janeiro, June 1992) it is recommended that the Governments contributing to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) request support for proposals to GEF for provision of necessary, relatively small amount of funding for GO3OS improvements within the coming three-four years.

7.5.9     The Parties to the Convention are encouraged to develop and implement national public awareness programmes designed to meet their specific requirements. These programmers should be designed in such a way as to:

a.   Provide up-to-date near real time accurate information with respect to the status of the ozone layer.

b.   Improve the understanding of potential effects of ozone depletion on the environment and on human health.

c.   Enhance the awareness of the need to control ozone depleting substances, and raise general willingness to participate in implementing controls.

7.5.10     The tremendous work performed in the preparation of the periodic ozone assessment reports was very much appreciated and the meeting requested that in the future WMO and UNEP ensure that the increasing involvement of competent scientists continue on a world wide basis and that the contributions from the international scientific community be sought throughout the earliest stages of assessment preparations.




WMO HOME PAGE WMO
Home Page
TOC UNEP Ozone
Secretariat
HOME Ozone/Health
Home Page