ATMOSPHERIC TRENDS AND LIFETIME OF CH3CCL3 AND GLOBAL OH CONCENTRATIONS

Determination of the atmospheric concentrations and lifetime of trichl oroethane (CH3CCl3) is very important in the context of global change. This halocarbon is involved in depletion of ozone, and the hydroxyl r adical (OH) concentrations determined from its lifetime provide estima tes of the lifetimes of most other hydrogen-containing gases involved in the ozone layer and climate. Global measurements of trichloroethane indicate rising concentrations before and declining concentrations af ter late 1991. The lifetime of CH3CCl3 in the total atmosphere is 4.8 +/- 0.3 years, which is substantially lower than previously estimated. The deduced hydroxyl radical concentration, which measures the atmosp here's oxidizing capability, shows little change from 1978 to 1994.