Long-term Observations of Atmospheric Halogenated Organic Trace Gases

Authors

  • Stefan Reimann Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland;, Email: stefan.reimann@empa.ch
  • Martin K. Vollmer Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Matthias Hill Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Paul Schlauri Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Myriam Guillevic Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Dominik Brunner Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Stephan Henne Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Dominique Rust Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
  • Lukas Emmenegger Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstr. 129, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2020.136

PMID:

32197671

Keywords:

Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons, Hydrofluoroolefins, Montreal protocol

Abstract

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and other strong ozone-depleting halogenated organic trace gases were used in numerous industrial, household and agriculture applications. First atmospheric measurements of CFCs were performed in the 1970s, well ahead of the detection of the ozone hole in the 1980s. The continuous observation of these ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) is crucial for monitoring their global ban within the Montreal Protocol. In addition, also HFCs (fluorinated hydrocarbons) are measured, which were introduced as substitutes of ODSs and are potent greenhouse gases. Since 2000, Empa continuously measures more than 50 halogenated trace gases at the high-Alpine station of Jungfraujoch (3850 m asl) as part of the global AGAGE network (Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment). Jungfraujoch is the highest location worldwide where such measurements are performed, and the site where several of these compounds were measured in the atmosphere for the first time. The measurements at Jungfraujoch and at other globally well-positioned sites serve as an early warning system, i. e. before potentially harmful halogenated organic substances can accumulate and detrimentally affect the natural environment.

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Published

2020-03-25

How to Cite

[1]
S. Reimann, M. K. Vollmer, M. Hill, P. Schlauri, M. Guillevic, D. Brunner, S. Henne, D. Rust, L. Emmenegger, Chimia 2020, 74, 136, DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2020.136.