Observations of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) at AGAGE and SOGE monitoring stations 1994-2004 and derived global and regional emission estimates

We have taken a 10-year record of observations of a gas used predominantly in hand-held foam blowing canisters and assessed the state of its trends in the atmosphere. This gas (HFC-152a) has a low atmospheric lifetime (approximately 1.5 year) which is evidenced in the observations through a well defined annual cycle consistent with its proposed removal mechanism via reaction with the OH radical in the lower atmosphere. We calculate the rising amount of HFC-152a in the global atmosphere and hence we derive the historical emission of this gas both on a global and regional basis. We estimate that there were approximately 28 ktonnes of HFC-152a emitted in 2004, and of this total European emissions accounted for approximately 5-15%. Australian emissions were neglible, only <0.05% of the global estimate. The observed growth rate for HFC-152a in the atmosphere is steadily increasing in both northern and southern hemispheres as its usage and emission steadily increases.

For reprints and further information, please contact Brian Greally: brian.greally@bristol.ac.uk

Article: Observations of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) at AGAGE and SOGE monitoring stations 1994-2004 and derived global and regional emission estimates. Greally, B.R., A.J. Manning, S. Reimann, A. McCulloch, J. Huang, B.L. Dunse, P.G. Simmonds, R.G. Prinn, P.J. Fraser, D.M. Cunnold, S. O'Doherty, L.W. Porter, K. Stemmler, M.K. Vollmer, C.R. Lunder, N. Schmidbauer, O. Hermansen, J. Arduini, P.K. Salameh, P.B. Krummel, R.H.J. Wang, D. Folini, R.F. Weiss, M. Maione, G. Nickless, F. Stordal and R.G. Derwent (2007), Journal of Geophysical Research, 112: D06308 (doi:10.1029/2006JD007527).