Earth's wetter upper atmosphere may delay global ozone recovery. NASA researchers have found that an increase in water vapor in the stratosphere, stemming partially from greenhouse gases, may delay ozone recovery and increase the rate of climate change. To check on the long-term stratospheric cooling and ozone depletion, NASA put data from satellites and other remote sensors into its GISS global climate model. It was the first study to link greenhouse gases to increased ozone depletion over populated areas. Water and ozone.
Climate models show cooler stratospheric temperatures happen when there is more water vapor present.
Water vapor also leads to the breakdown of ozone molecules. The stratosphere is the dry layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, where temperatures increase with height. More water is transported from the lower atmosphere. Warmer air holds more water vapor than colder air, so the amount of water vapor in the lower atmosphere increases as it is warmed by the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, may enhance the transport of water into the stratosphere.