Space Pollution metals contributing to Ozone Hole, South Atlantic Anomaly, and Radiation Belt

Abstract

Since the 1970s, ozone (15-40 km) over Antarctica has continuously declined, which parallels the time of metallic satellites from the 1960s-2000s and discovery of Inner Radiation Belt (IRB). This is the first study to suggest heavy metals from satellites, debris, & rockets are correlated to Inner Radiation Belt (IRB), South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) and Ozone hole and to propose the North Atlantic Anomaly (NAA). After high temperature corrosion (HTC) for <45 min sunward in Low Earth Orbit (up to 125C or 270F) and during re-entry, metals (Al, Fe,Mn,Ce,Pb) from satellites become ionized with high charges(+3,+2) and form metal oxides such as (Al2O3, Fe2O3,etc), metal hydroxides(Al(OH)n, Mn(OH)n, etc) until deposition as oxides, sulfides, and silicates. For example, after big reentry events such as 75-ton Skylab EDL fell to Earth in 1979, McConnell et al.,1 recorded 40X increase in metals such as Al, Pb in ice in Antarctica with other studies finding Pb of 1000X+ and Cd of 10X+ in 1980s. If SAA 3D Vortex and Radiation Belt co-located at ~200-500 km with trapped ionized particles and metals, heavy and light ion fluxes near poles would form metal oxides, ozone hole and reduce magnetic B-field, which may have formed largest ozone holes measured. Similar to how CFC atoms react with ozone, this study discusses how transition metals are a primary factor contributing to ozone depletion, metal oxides & silicates formation, observed in South America and Antarctica, which coincides with widespread desertification, extinctions, and warming. If metals from satellites in SAA deposit to poles with 2-16X heat absorption capacity to melt ice and radiation over poles, this could be a primary force melting ice in Polar Regions.