The contribution of natural and anthropogenic very short-lived species to stratospheric bromine

R. Hossaini, M. P. Chipperfield, W. Feng, T. J. Breider, E. Atlas, S. A. Montzka, B. R. Miller, F. Moore, J. Elkins
2011 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions  
We have used a global three-dimensional chemical transport model to quantify the impact of the very short-lived substances (VSLS) CHBr 3 , CH 2 Br 2 , CHBr 2 Cl, CHBrCl 2 , CH 2 BrCl and C 2 H 5 Br on the bromine budget of the stratosphere. Atmospheric observations of these gases allow constraints on surface mixing ratios that, when incorporated into our model, contribute ∼4.9-5.2 parts per trillion (ppt) of inorganic bromine (Br y ) to the stratosphere. Of this total, ∼76 % comes from
more » ... -emitted CHBr 3 and CH 2 Br 2 . The remaining species individually contribute modest amounts. However, their accumulated total accounts for up to ∼1.2 ppt of the supply and thus should not be ignored. We have compared modelled tropical profiles of a range of VSLS with observations from the recent 2009 NSF HIPPO-1 aircraft campaign. Modelled profiles agree reasonably well with observations from the surface to the lower tropical tropopause layer. We have also considered the poorly studied anthropogenic VSLS, C 2 H 5 Br, CH 2 BrCH 2 Br, n-C 3 H 7 Br and i-C 3 H 7 Br. We find the local atmospheric lifetime of these species in the tropical tropopause layer are ∼183, 603, 39 and 49 days, respectively. These species, particularly C 2 H 5 Br and CH 2 BrCH 2 Br, would thus be important carriers of bromine to the stratosphere if emissions were to increase substantially. Our model shows ∼70-73 % and ∼80-85 % of bromine from these species in the tropical boundary layer can reach the lower stratosphere. Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.
doi:10.5194/acpd-11-23859-2011 fatcat:pypxuoljerf3pdzqfvl3uudwvi