THE PROBLEM OF OZONE DEPLETION IN NORTHERN EUROPE

Ozone in the atmosphere, mainly in the stratosphere, absorbs most of t he ultraviolet-B (wavelength 280-315 nm) radiation from the sun, which can destroy DNA and other biologically important molecules and, there by, damage living organisms. Due to the pollution of the atmosphere by humans, the ozone layer is presently being depleted, more rapidly at higher latitudes than at lower, and more rapidly over Scandinavia than over most geographical regions at corresponding latitudes. Ultraviole t-B radiation is generally more intense in mountain regions than at se a level. We have experiments in progress in which we simulate the effe cts of further ozone depletion on terrestrial ecosystems (mountain hea ths, bogs, tundra) by irradiating them with artificial ultraviolet-B r adiation. Effects on the growth of dwarf-shrubs and mosses and on plan t litter decomposition are described.