Abstract
This research determined the spatial and temporal distribution of flu orotrichloromethane (F-11) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the troposphere, across the tropopause and into the lower stratosphere. Four airborne field data collections using a Learjet extend over nearly 2 yr (May 1975 to April 1977). For interpretive purposes, the atmosphere was divided into three analysis layers in the vertical, including the troposphere, a tropopause zone, and the lower stratosphere. F-11 and N2O are vertically well-mixed in the troposphere and concentrations of both compounds decrease in the tropopause zone and to a lesser degree in the lower stratosphere. The importance of the prevailing meteorology in the analysis near the tropopause is shown. The samples collected during the North American flights of October 1976 (latitude range 65°N to 18°N) were categorized into groups indicating their origin in either a high, middle, or low latitude air mass based on a 24 h wind trajectory analysis. The tropospheric samples of F-11 collected in high latitude air masses had higher concentrations than those collected in low latitude air masses. The tropospheric data indicated an increase in F-11 concentration with time. Nitrous oxide concentrations appear to be stable both spatially and temporally.
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Saunders, W.D., Robinson, E., Cronn, D.R. et al. F-11 AND N2O in the North American troposphere and lower stratosphere. Water Air Soil Pollut 10, 421–439 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00250008
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00250008