Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Improving our understanding of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in the upper atmosphere

J. D. Nance (1,2), J. W. Elkins (2), F. L. Moore (1,2), G. S. Dutton (1,2), E. J. Hinsta (1,2), B. D. Hall (2), D. J. Mondeel (1,2), B. J. Miller (1,2), C Siso (1,2), and S. A. Montzka (2)

(1) CIRES, University of Colorado, Box 216 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 USA (2) NOAA/ESRL/GMD, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its subsequent amendments has been successful in decreasing the total equivalent chlorine of man-made halocarbons in the atmosphere by ~13% since its peak in 1994-5. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory (NOAA/ESRL) maintains a global, ground-based in situ and flask sampling network for the measurement and analysis of halocarbons and other atmospheric trace gases. Measurements of nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons -11 and -12 started in 1977. The purpose of this work is to study atmospheric trace gases that affect climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air quality from observations at NOAA-affiliated sites. The analysis of flask samples and in situ data is conducted at the Global Monitoring Division (GMD) in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Through collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), NOAA/ESRL also operates a number of in situ and flask sampling systems from manned and unmanned aircraft up to 21 km, and balloon platforms up to 32 km . We measure over 40 trace gases in the atmosphere including nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), methyl halides, numerous halocarbons, sulfur gases (COS, SF6, CS2), and selected hydrocarbons. This presentation will highlight our recent observations of halocarbons and other trace gases from the NSF and NOAA sponsored HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations airborne campaign over NDACC and NOAA stations from 2009 to 2011, and the NASA and NOAA sponsored Unmanned Aircraft Systems Missions. For more information see http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/hats. Our data are available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.cmdl.noaa.gov/hats.