Abstract
Tropospheric methyl bromide (CH3Br) and methyl chloride (CH3Cl) are significant sources of ozone (O3) destroying halogens to the stratosphere. Their O3 depletion potential (ODP) can be determined from atmospheric lifetimes and therefore their atmospheric budgets, both of which are out of balance with known sink terms larger than identified sources. We have discovered a new source of CH3Br and CH3Cl emissions to the atmosphere at two wetland sites in the Northeastern United States. We have reason to believe that these compounds are biologically produced in situ. Our measurements indicate that the global annual flux of CH3Br and CH3Cl from wetlands could be as high as 4.6 Gg yr−1 Of CH3Br and 48 Gg yr−1 of CH3Cl. These are preliminary estimates based on measurements made during the end of the 1998 growing season, a time period of decreased emissions of other trace gases such as methane (CH4).
Department
Earth Systems Research Center
Publication Date
8-15-1999
Journal Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Varner, R.K., P.M. Crill, and R.W. Talbot (1999), Wetlands: a potentially significant source of atmospheric methyl bromide and methyl chloride, Geophys. Res. Lett., 26, 2433-2436.
Rights
©1999. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
This is an article published by AGU in Geophysical Research Letters in 1999, available online: https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/1999GL900587