Distribution and seasonality of selected hydrocarbons and halocarbons over the western Pacific basin during PEM‐West A and PEM‐West B

Abstract

Nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) and halocarbons were measured in the troposphere over the northwestern Pacific as part of the airborne component of NASA's Pacific Exploratory Mission‐West Phase B (PEM‐West B). This study took place in late winter of 1994, a period characterized by maximum outflow from the Asian continent. The results are compared to those from Pacific Exploratory Mission‐West Phase A (PEM‐West A), which was flown in the same region during late summer of 1991, when flow from the subtropical western Pacific dominated the lower troposphere. Mixing ratios of NMHCs, tetrachloroethene (C 2 Cl 4 ), and methyl bromide (CH 3 Br) were significantly higher during PEM‐West B than during PEM‐West A, particularly at latitudes north of 25°N and altitudes lower than 6 km. The primary reasons for these higher ambient concentrations were the seasonal increase in the atmospheric lifetimes of trace gases controlled by HO radical reactions, and the more frequent input of continental air masses. During PEM‐West B, air masses of continental origin observed north of 25°N latitude were augmented with urban signature gases such as C 2 Cl 4 . By contrast, more southerly continental outflow had characteristics associated with combustion sources such as biomass burning, including wood fuel burning. During the summer PEM‐West A period, the spatial distribution of methyl iodide (CH 3 I) was consistent with effective oceanic sources at all latitudes, being especially strong in tropical and subtropical regions. At low latitudes, PEM‐West B CH 3 I mixing ratios in the lower troposphere were similar to PEM‐West A, but at latitudes greater than about 25°N PEM‐West B concentrations were significantly reduced. Equatorial regions exhibited enhanced CH 3 I mixing ratios extending into the upper tropical troposphere, consistent with fast vertical transport of air from the tropical marine boundary layer.