Research Highlights

Global emissions from industrial sources significantly larger than estimated (2016)

A 20-year record of atmospheric measurements of the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC-152a), at 11 globally distributed sites, shows an atmospheric mixing ratio increasing from 1.2 in 1994 to 10.1 ppt at the end of 2014.

Atmospheric abundance and global emissions of perfluorocarbons CF4, C2F6 and C3F8 since 1800 (2016)

Here we present the first continuous histories of the abundance and emissions of three PFCs (CF4, C2F6 and C3F8) from 1800 to 2014.

Atmospheric histories and global emissions of major halons based on AGAGE/NOAA network atmospheric measurements and archived samples (2016)

Halons are man-made compounds, which have been mainly used as fire retardants. Because they contribute to stratospheric ozone loss, their usage is now greatly restricted under the Montreal Protocol.

Global and regional emissions estimates of HFC-152a (CH₃CHF₂) from observations (2016)

The concentration of HFC-152a has grown substantially since the first direct measurements in 1994; however, since 2007, the annual rate of growth has slowed. Analysis suggests substantial emissions from North America, Asia, and Europe.

Abrupt Recent Reversals in Emissions and Atmospheric Abundances of the two Montreal Protocol Compounds HCFC-31 and HCFC-133a (2015)

In two recent studies, lead by Empa, unexpected atmospheric trend reversals were found for the hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) HCFC-31 (CH2ClF) and HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl).

First Observations of the Fourth Generation Synthetic Halocarbons HFC-1234yf, HFC-1234ze(E), and HCFC-1233zd(E) in the Atmosphere (2015)

We report multiyear atmospheric measurements of halocarbons from the high altitude observatory at Jungfraujoch and from urban Dubendorf (Switzerland). Analysis indicates significant emissions from source locations outside the footprints of the two stations.

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