Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species (HATS)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory (NOAA/ESRL) maintains a global in situ and flask network that started in 1977 for the measurement and analysis of halocarbons and other atmospheric trace gases. The purpose of this work is to study atmospheric trace gases that affect climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air quality from observations at NOAA and cooperating stations. The analyses of flask samples and in situ data are conducted within the Global Monitoring Division (GMD) in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Through collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation, NOAA/ESRL operates a number of in situ and flask collection instruments from aircraft up to 21 km, and balloon platforms up to 32 km. These measurements have been associated with campaigns that have spanned the globe beginning in 1991. The HATS Network measures over 30 trace gases in the atmosphere including nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), methyl halides, numerous other halocarbons, sulfur gases (COS, SF6, CS2), and selected hydrocarbons. This research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and has contributed to international assessments of climate and ozone depletion. Data are available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.cmdl.noaa.gov/hats.

Dr. James W. Elkins, group chief, is responsible for the network and airborne measurements within the HATS group. Dr. Stephen A. Montzka is the principal investigator responsible for the gas chromatograph and mass selection detection of flask samples collected from stations located globally and also from regional aircraft that sample the troposphere. Dr. Bradley D. Hall is the principal investigator in charge of our trace gas standards research and prepares most of our trace gas standards. Geoffrey S. Dutton is the principal investigator responsible for in situ measurements at stations located at Pt. Barrow, Alaska; Summit, Greenland; Niwot Ridge, Colorado; Mauna Loa, Hawaii; Cape Matatula, American Samoa; and South Pole, Antarctica.