Altitudinal and temporal variation of hydrocarbons and other gaseous tracers of Arctic haze

Abstract

Springtime concentrations of hydrocarbons and chlorocarbons in the arctic atmosphere (70°N, Barrow) are reported. Concentrations of the following gases were determined: acetylene (C 2 H 2 ), ethene (C 2 H 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), propane (C 3 H 8 ), benzene (C 6 H 6 ), toluene (C 7 H 8 ), perchloroethylene (C 2 Cl 4 ), and trichloroethylene (C 2 HCl 3 ). Vertical distributions of these gases were also determined on flights during May 1982. The results show that C 2 Cl 4 , C 2 H 2 , and C 2 H 6 may be gaseous tracers of arctic haze. Their vertical profiles suggest that polluted air may be transported to the arctic 1‐2 km above ground, and perhaps also in layers higher than this level.