1. Recent Decreases in the Growth Rate of Atmospheric HCFC‐22 Column Derived From the Ground‐Based FTIR Harmonized Retrievals at 16 NDACC Sites.
- Author
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Zhou, Minqiang, Langerock, Bavo, Vigouroux, Corinne, Smale, Dan, Toon, Geoff, Polyakov, Alexander, Hannigan, James W., Mellqvist, Johan, Robinson, John, Notholt, Justus, Strong, Kimberly, Mahieu, Emmanuel, Palm, Mathias, Prignon, Maxime, Jones, Nicolas, García, Omaira, Morino, Isamu, Murata, Isao, Ortega, Ivan, and Nagahama, Tomoo
- Subjects
SOLAR spectra ,OZONE layer ,VIENNA Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (1985). Protocols, etc., 1987 Sept. 15 ,GREENHOUSE effect ,ABSORPTION spectra ,TRACE gases - Abstract
HCFC‐22 is an ozone‐depleting substance with a greenhouse effect. The atmospheric mole fractions of HCFC‐22 have been increasing since the 1950s. Within the NDACC‐IRWG network, HCFC‐22 mol fractions can be retrieved from solar absorption spectra measured by ground‐based FTIR. However, only a few sites have provided HCFC‐22 data sets. Here, we demonstrate a harmonized FTIR HCFC‐22 retrieval strategy and generate a new global NDACC‐IRWG HCFC‐22 data set at 16 FTIR sites. The systematic and random uncertainties are 5.3%–8.7% and 3.2%–8.0%, respectively. A maximum HCFC‐22 column annual growth rate was observed in 2009 with a mean of 7.65 ± 1.39 ppt/year, and the HCFC‐22 annual growth rate decreased to 3.57 ± 1.39 ppt/year (2016–2020) and 2.15 ± 2.09 ppt/year (2021–2023). The annual growth rates derived from the FTIR measurements are compared to the ones derived from NOAA surface flask samplings and ACE‐FTS satellite measurements, and the three independent data sets show a good agreement. Plain Language Summary: Monitoring the atmospheric HCFC‐22 mol fraction and its long‐term trend is important to the stratospheric ozone layer and climate change. Ground‐based FTIR measurements within the NDACC‐IWRG community provide a powerful technique for observing atmospheric trace gases. However, due to different retrieval software and procedures among the sites, the record was too heterogeneous for monitoring the global evolution of HCFC‐22 over time. In this study, we propose a harmonized FTIR HCFC‐22 retrieval strategy and generate a global NDACC‐IRWG HCFC‐22 data set at 16 FTIR sites. The retrieval uncertainty of the FTIR HCFC‐22 is well presented and discussed. Based on the new FTIR HCFC‐22 measurements, the HCFC‐22 annual growth rates between 1990 and 2023 are evaluated. The results are compared with two independent data sets: NOAA flask samplings and ACE‐FTS satellite measurements. Good agreement among the three data sets is found, with a clear decrease in the growth rate of atmospheric HCFC‐22 in recent years. According to the latest Montreal Protocol, HCFC‐22 should be phased out within the next 5–6 years. The global FTIR observations will assure continuity into the next years and decades when HCFC‐22 mol fractions should start decreasing after the official phase‐out. Key Points: Implemented a harmonized NDACC‐IRWG FTIR HCFC‐22 retrieval strategy and provided a new global long‐term HCFC‐22 data setA decrease in the growth rate of the atmospheric HCFC‐22 column has been observed by FTIR measurements since 2009The FTIR, NOAA flask samplings, and ACE‐FTS satellite observations show a good agreement in the HCFC‐22 trend [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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