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www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/8/12737/2008/
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Transport mechanisms for synoptic, seasonal and interannual SF6 variations in troposphere
1Frontier Research Center for Global Change, JAMSTEC, Yokohama 236 001, Japan
2NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
3Umweltbundesamt - Federal Environment Agency, 63225 Langen, Germany
4Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1565, USA
Abstract. We use an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) driven Chemistry-Transport Model (ACTM) to simulate the evolution of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) in the atmosphere. The model results are compared with continuous measurements at 6 sites over 71° N–90° S. These comparisons demonstrate that the ACTM simulations lie within the measurement uncertainty over the analysis period (1999–2006) and capture salient features of synoptic, seasonal and interannual SF6 variability. To understand transport timescales of SF6 within the troposphere, transport times of air parcels from the surface to different regions of the troposphere ("age") are estimated from a simulation of an idealized tracer. Monthly-mean, 2-box model exchange times (τex) are calculated from both the observed and simulated SF6time series at the 6 observing sites and show favorable agreement, suggesting that the model adequately represents large-scale interhemispheric transport. The simulated SF6 variability is further investigated through decomposition of the mixing ratio time-tendency into advective, convective, and vertical diffusive components. The transport component analysis illustrates the role of each process in SF6synoptic variability at the site level and provides insight into the seasonality of τex.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 1819 KB) Supplement (594 KB) Interactive Discussion (Final Response, 5 Comments)
Citation: Patra, P. K., Takigawa, M., Dutton, G. S., Uhse, K., Ishijima, K., Lintner, B. R., Miyazaki, K., and Elkins, J. W.: Transport mechanisms for synoptic, seasonal and interannual SF6 variations in troposphere, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 8, 12737-12767, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
