Seasonal variations in the atmospheric distribution of a reactive chlorine compound, tetrachloroethene (CCl2 = CCl2)

Tropospheric mixing ratios of CCl2 = CCl2 were measured at remote surface locations in the Pacific between 71 deg N and 47 deg S during September and December of 1989, and March and June of 1990. The observed gradient of decreasing concentrations from the northern to the southern hemisphere, and very low concentrations in the southern hemisphere throughout the year, indicates a predominant input from the northern hemisphere. Seasonal measurements in the northern hemisphere showed maximum CCl2 = CCl2 concentrations occurring in the late summer. This distinct seasonal variation is strongly coupled to the atmompheric abundance of hydroxyl radical, the only important species responsible for CCl2 = CCl2 removal. With the estimated global CCl2 =CCl2 emissions, the lifetime is calculated to be about 5.4 months which is in good agreement with the 4.0 month estimate obtained from the inverse ratio of its measured hydroxyl reaction rate constant compared with that of methyl-chloroform CH3CCl3.