Measurements of ethane and propane in the troposphere and stratosphere
Abstract
Measurements of C2H6 and C3H8 in the troposphere and stratosphere are reported, and the Cl concentration in the lower stratosphere is estimated. The C3H8 mixing ratio is found to decrease extremely fast with altitude above the tropopause, and the C2H6 mixing ratio exhibits a similar rapid decrease. Calculations using a one-dimensional steady state model indicate that the decrease is due to the fast destruction of the hydrocarbons by Cl atoms and OH radicals, with the reaction with Cl being the dominant loss path in the stratosphere. The C2H6 concentration profiles are up to a factor of 10 lower than those predicted by current models and indicate that an increase of Cl below 20 km altitude is due to the assumption that there is no destruction of OH.
- Publication:
-
Quadrennial International Ozone Symposium
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981quoz.conf..809R
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Composition;
- Ethane;
- Propane;
- Stratosphere;
- Troposphere;
- Air Sampling;
- Chlorine;
- Mixing;
- Vertical Distribution;
- Geophysics