Publication

Back to overview

Abrupt reversal in emissions and atmospheric abundance of HCFC‐133a (CF3CH2Cl)

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Vollmer Martin, Rigby Matt , Laube Johannes C. , Henne Stephan , Rhee Tae Siek, J. Gooch Lauren , Wenger Angelina , Young Dickon , Steele L. Paul , Langenfelds Ray L. , Brenninkmeijer Carl A. M. , Wang Jia‐Lin, Ou‐Yang Chang‐Feng , Wyss Simon A., Hill Matthias , Oram David E. , Krummel Paul B. , Schoenenberger Fabian , Zellweger Christoph , Fraser Paul J. , Sturges William T. , O'Doherty Simon , Reimann Stefan,
Project Measurement-based verification of regional emissions of halogenated greenhouse gases
Show all

Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal Geophysical Research Letters
Volume (Issue) 42(20)
Page(s) 8702 - 8710
Title of proceedings Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1002/2015gl065846

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 <0.1 kt yr−1 although emission hot spots were identified in France.
-