ozone hole

A region of the stratosphere over Antarctica in which a marked decrease in the concentration of ozone has been observed in the Antarctic spring in recent years. The origin of this phenomenon is not yet established, but several theories based on both physical (transport related) and chemical processes (involvement of the halocarbons and their products of oxidation) have been suggested. The latter explanation appears to be in better accord with recent findings.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167 (Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)) on page 2205