Variations in atmospheric methane at Mauna Loa Observatory related to long‐range transport

Abstract

Methane measurements, radon measurements, and air mass trajectories calculated for Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) are examined to determine relationships among methane source/sink regions, flow patterns for MLO, and methane variations on the synoptic‐to‐seasonal scale. We present evidence that the methane seasonal cycle observed at MLO is in large part driven by seasonal variations in transport. Furthermore, the variability in methane mixing ratio at MLO is higher in winter than in summer because of greater variability in flow patterns. Ten‐day back trajectories are classified according to wind speed and direction using cluster analysis to determine six typical transport regimes. The methane data are then grouped according to transport cluster. The median methane mixing ratio corresponding to tradewind flow was 17.2 ppbv (parts per billion by volume) lower than that corresponding to strong westerly flow. This difference is attributed to transport from source/sink regions, flow across the methane latitudinal gradient, and seasonality of flow patterns. Case studies utilizing individual trajectories and radon measurements to determine probable air parcel origins illustrate the effects of long‐range transport on the methane mixing ratio at MLO. Changes in flow pattern from sink to source origins can result in a 50 ppbv rise in methane mixing ratio over a period of a few days. During winter, alternation of westerly winds, tradewinds and anticyclonically curving flows contributes to the large variability in the methane mixing ratio. During summer this variability is reduced with the cessation of strong westerly flows from methane source regions. In July and August, air parcels originate far from methane source regions and in the area of highest modeled OH concentration. At the same time, methane mixing ratios decrease to the lowest values for the year. In this way, the seasonality of flow patterns exerts a major influence on the observed seasonal cycle of methane at MLO.