Characteristics of Baseline Atmospheric Chlorofluorocarbons in the East Asia(1/3)

This study aims at investigating the characteristics and trends of atmospheric chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in the East Asia. In order to do so, an integrated monitoring method by gas chromatography will be established and used to measure the background air. The target halocarbons include CFC-12, CFC-11 and HCFC-22, which are restricted by the Montreal Protocol. These compounds can not only harm the ozone layer, but also exhibit with significant radiative forcing resulting in global warming and climate change. Besides their atmospheric variations, the emissions and budget will also be carefully studied based on intensive measurements by using the aforementioned methods to provide the regional view of these species.A recent scientific finding by Dr. Montzka at NOAA/GMD suggested that the decreasing rate of CFC-11 was slowing down after 2012, which could be possibly due to the unreported emissions from the East Asia. To further identify the possible sources of these compounds in the East Asia, measurements can be made to evaluate the emission inventories. Present characteristics and future projections of these compounds can also be performed. To strengthen our understanding of this relatively pristine region receives air masses via long-range transport pathways, multiple sampling locations, e.g. Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (23.47°N, 120.87°E; 2862 m a.s.l.), Kenting (20.05°N, 120.70°E; 8 m a.s.l.), and oversea remote sites such as Mt. Fuji, Yonagunijima, northern Tailand and Vietnam, will be served to investigate the changes and events of atmospheric halocarbons from the perspectives of concentration variations and correlations representative in different countries in the East Asia.