This online platform uses data from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite and shows averaged bromine oxide across the globe - using a 14-day average, as well as daily, monthly, seasonal and yearly moving averages. Using a 14 day average eliminates some effects which are caused by short term weather changes and cloud cover. The average gives an overview over the whole time period and therefore reflects trends better than shorter time periods.
The Sentinel-5P Bromine Monoxide (BrO) total vertical column product was developed for the monitoring of the daily global spatial and temporal distribution of this trace gas in the Earth's atmosphere.
Inorganic bromine plays an important role in the chemistry of the atmosphere. Bromine monoxide contributes to mid-latitude ozone loss and to polar ozone depletion in the stratosphere. In the troposphere, BrO is released over sea ice covered regions every polar spring and the resulting chemical reactions contribute to ozone depletion and mercury deposition. BrO can further be found over salt lakes and in volcanic plumes.
