Differences in the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases in and above the tropical boundary layer

Abstract

Weekly air samples were collected at Cape Kumakahi (0 km) and at nearby Mauna Loa Observatory (3.4 km) which is above the boundary layer. EC/GC and GC/FID techniques were used to measure CH3I, CHCl3, CO and CH4, which are largely natural in origin, and C2Cl4, CCl4, CH3, CCl3, CCl3F (F-11), CCl2F2 (F-12), CHClF2 (F-22) and C2F3Cl3 (F-113), which are due to anthropogenic activities. It was found that all these gases are significantly (α≤0.05) more abundant in the boundary layer than above it.