Projects per year
Abstract
Hydrochlorofluorocarbon HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl) is an anthropogenic compound whose consumption for emissive use is restricted under the Montreal Protocol. A recent study showed rapidly increasing atmospheric abundances and emissions. We report that, following this rise, the atmospheric abundance and emissions have declined sharply in the past three years. We find a Northern Hemisphere HCFC-133a increase from 0.13 ppt (dry-air mole fraction in parts per trillion) in 2000 to 0.50 ppt in 2012-mid-2013 followed by an abrupt drop to ∼0.44 ppt by early 2015. Global emissions derived from these observations peaked at 3.1 kt in 2011, followed by a rapid decline of ∼0.5 kt yr-2 to reach 1.5 kt yr-1 in 2014. Sporadic HCFC-133a pollution events are detected in Europe from our high-resolution HCFC-133a records at three European stations, and in Asia from samples collected in Taiwan. European emissions are estimated to be -1 although emission hot spots were identified in France. Key Points Atmospheric abundances of HCFC-133a and emissions have suddenly reversed in the last three years The sources of HCFC-133a to the atmosphere are likely from the production of HFC-134a In Europe, the emissions of HCFC-133a are less than 0.1 kt/yr while globally about 1.5 kt/yr
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 8702-8710 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 20 |
Early online date | 23 Sept 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 6 Nov 2015 |
Keywords
- Montreal Protocol
- HCFC
- emissions
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Dive into the research topics of 'Abrupt reversal in emissions and atmospheric abundance of HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Advanced computing architecture to support the estimation and reporting of UK GHG emissions
Rigby, M. L. (Principal Investigator)
13/11/13 → 13/10/15
Project: Research
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Towards treaty verification of all non-CO2 greenhouse gasses - Dr Matthew Rigby
Rigby, M. L. (Principal Investigator)
1/01/12 → 31/12/16
Project: Research