Projects per year
Abstract
CFC-113a (CF3CCl3), CFC-112 (CFCl2CFCl2) and HCFC-133a (CF3CH2Cl) are three newly detected molecules in the atmosphere that are almost certainly emitted as a result of human activity. It is important to characterise the possible contribution of these gases to radiative forcing of climate change and also to provide information on the CO2-equivalence of their emissions. We report new laboratory measurements of absorption cross-sections of these three compounds at a resolution of 0.01 cm−1 for two temperatures 250 K and 295 K in the spectral range of 600–1730 cm−1. These spectra are then used to calculate the radiative efficiencies and global warming potentials (GWP). The radiative efficiencies are found to be between 0.15 and 0.3 W∙m−2∙ppbv−1. The GWP for a 100 year time horizon, relative to carbon dioxide, ranges from 340 for the relatively short-lived HCFC-133a to 3840 for the longer-lived CFC-112. At current (2012) concentrations, these gases make a trivial contribution to total radiative forcing; however, the concentrations of CFC-113a and HCFC-133a are continuing to increase. The 2012 CO2-equivalent emissions, using the GWP (100), are estimated to be about 4% of the current global CO2-equivalent emissions of HFC-134a.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 473-483 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Atmosphere |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Jul 2014 |
Keywords
- chlorofluorocarbons
- hydrochlorofluorocarbons
- absorption cross-section
- absorption intensity
- radiative efficiency
- global warming potential
- GWP
Profiles
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Johannes Laube
- School of Environmental Sciences - Honorary Lecturer
- Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences - Member
- ClimateUEA - Member
Person: Honorary, Member, Research Group Member
Projects
- 2 Finished
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FORESIGHT - FOREnSic Innovations to constrain GreenHouse Trace gas budgets (UEA Lead)
Natural Environment Research Council
1/11/11 → 31/10/16
Project: Fellowship