Some Soviet measurements of trace gases

Abstract

Results of Soviet measurements during the last two decades are reported for various trace gases in the atmosphere. They are either greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, ozone in the atmospheric surface layer, CFSs, or gases which enter the ozone cycle or react with hydroxyl, the key cleansing agent of the atmosphere. The latter are total ozone itself, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Measurements of CO2 started on a regular basis in 1980 in the Tyan Shan Mountains. Together with the general trend, this mid-continent station reveals considerable inter-annual variability and large annual amplitude. Measurements of CH4 and CO reveal trends of about 1% yr-1 for the Northern Hemisphere. Measurements of CO in the Arctic show concentrations close to those in the mid-latitudes. The NO2 content has been measured since 1979 in the Caucasus and is the longest time series. Total ozone, surface O3 and total NO2 were also measured in 1986 to 1988 in Antarctica. The results show some features of total ozone for the period of filling-up the ozone hole. The surface ozone levels in Antarctica are on the average about half of the values for similar latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. The largest inter-day surface ozone variations are caused by synoptic processes, while in the synoptically quiet period, they are smaller and influenced by the slope katabatic wind. Finally, a brief mention is presented of the findings by Isidorov of some halocarbons in volcanic gases which may reach up to 10% of the anthropogenic source of CFCs.