FOREnSic Innovations to constrain GreenHouse Trace gas budgets
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
A halocarbon is an organic molecule containing at least one halogen atom, i.e. fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. Halocarbons can be found almost everywhere: in refrigerators, in TVs, in fire extinguishers, in plants and - in small traces - in air. Usually there is less than one molecule of halocarbons in a billion air molecules. But despite these low abundances halocarbons both act as powerful greenhouse gases and are potent depleters of stratospheric ozone. They presently account for more than 20% of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, and this fraction could potentially increase in the future. The aim of this project is to explore the capabilities of a number of highly innovative analytical tools to enhance the present level of understanding of important halocarbons and their origins, distributions and fate in the atmosphere in the past, present and future. Firstly, the isotope ratios of halogens in halocarbon gases will be used as a wholly novel tool to identify and quantify the sources and sinks of very persistent compounds such as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been banned in most countries. But because they break down so slowly, it will take at least many decades before they disappear from the atmosphere. A very important question is, how long? One part of the answer could lie in the stratosphere, which is the only place where CFCs do break down. I am investigating the isotopes of halogens in CFCs and these contain information about the exact manner and speed of their stratospheric breakdown. The second part of the answer relies on how much CFC is still being released to the atmosphere (e.g. from old cars, landfills or illegal use). To distinguish in the atmosphere between CFC released years ago and CFC released now, one could again benefit from isotopic information. This is because the different molecules contain an isotopic 'fingerprint' which is often characteristic for the manufacturing process and also changes over time in the atmosphere. Consequently, the aim is to detect as many 'fingerprints' as possible and to identify and quantify the remaining emissions. Secondly, pioneering work on the detection of the rapidly growing number of industrial halocarbon compounds in the atmosphere will be continued and extended. There is an emerging threat from halocarbons with respect to global warming. The replacement compounds for CFCs are increasing rapidly in the atmosphere, and many of them are strong greenhouse gases. The variety of compounds used in industrial processes is increasing so fast, that scientists are struggling to keep up. Within this project new techniques to scan the atmosphere and track down these 'novel' halocarbons will be investigated. Consequently the threat posed by these compounds both to climate and to stratospheric ozone will be estimated. Finally, the promising methodologies of adapting two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry for atmospheric trace gas studies will be explored and will build upon the outcomes of the first two activities. This project will contribute to improved predictions of the recovery of the ozone layer and serve as an early-warning system for emerging threats from halocarbons in the atmosphere. Society will benefit from all of these activities as it will help to predict, when the ozone layer - and thus the protection from skin-cancer-causing UV radiation - will fully recover. Moreover, this project will help to better understand the risks arising from halocarbons with regard to climate change. It will also develop innovative new tools with which to study the chemistry of the atmosphere.
Organisations
- University of East Anglia (Lead Research Organisation)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- University of Grenoble (Collaboration)
- National Central University Taiwan (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF READING (Collaboration)
- Goethe University Frankfurt (Collaboration)
- Utrecht University (Collaboration)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
Johannes Laube (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Adcock K
(2018)
Continued increase of CFC-113a (CCl<sub>3</sub>CF<sub>3</sub>) mixing ratios in the global atmosphere: emissions, occurrence and potential sources
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Adcock K
(2021)
Aircraft-Based Observations of Ozone-Depleting Substances in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere in and Above the Asian Summer Monsoon
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
Adcock KE
(2020)
Investigation of East Asian Emissions of CFC-11 Using Atmospheric Observations in Taiwan.
in Environmental science & technology
Allin S
(2015)
Chlorine isotope composition in chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 in firn, stratospheric and tropospheric air
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Buizert C
(2012)
Gas transport in firn: multiple-tracer characterisation and model intercomparison for NEEM, Northern Greenland
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Droste E
(2020)
Trends and emissions of six perfluorocarbons in the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere
in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Kloss C
(2014)
Atmospheric Abundances, Trends and Emissions of CFC-216ba, CFC-216ca and HCFC-225ca
in Atmosphere
Description | Despite their low abundances in the atmosphere halocarbons both act as powerful greenhouse gases and are potent depleters of stratospheric ozone. The aim of this project is to explore the capabilities of a number of highly innovative analytical tools to enhance the present level of understanding of important halocarbons and their origins, distributions and fate in the atmosphere in the past, present and future. Firstly, the isotope ratios of halogens in halocarbon gases have been used as a wholly novel tool to identify and quantify the sources and sinks of very persistent compounds such as the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have been banned in most countries. But because they break down so slowly, it will take at least many decades before they disappear from the atmosphere. A very important question is, how long? One part of the answer could lie in the stratosphere, which is the only place where CFCs do break down. I have been investigating the isotopes of halogens in CFCs and these contain information about the exact manner and speed of their stratospheric breakdown. Isotopic changes of the three main CFCs have been identified a) during their breakdown in the stratosphere and b) in the troposphere as the atmospheric isotope histories of their chlorine fingerprints have been reconstructed. This information is published in Allin et al., Atm. Chem. & Phys., 2015. A manuscript on quantifying the 13C content of CFCs and changes in the stratosphere and troposphere is in preparation. Secondly, pioneering work on the detection of the rapidly growing number of industrial halocarbon compounds in the atmosphere is being be continued and extended. There is an emerging threat from halocarbons with respect to global warming. The replacement compounds for CFCs are increasing rapidly in the atmosphere, and many of them are strong greenhouse gases. The variety of compounds used in industrial processes is increasing so fast, that scientists are struggling to keep up. We have already detected and quantified 11 new greenhouse gases within FORESIGHT and reconstructed their atmospheric distributions and histories. Some of these gases are increasing rapidly and many are also destructive to the stratospheric ozone layer. This has resulted in several publications so far, e.g. Laube et al., Atm. Chem. & Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Nature Geosci., 2014; Kloss et al., Atmosphere, 2014; Vollmer et al., Geophys. Res. Lett., 2015; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. & Phys., 2016; and Oram et al., Atm. Chem. & Phys., 2017. Finally, the promising methodologies of adapting two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry for atmospheric trace gas studies have been explored. Technical challenges have delayed this activity significantly so that no publishable outcomes could be achieved by the end of the fellowship. The outcomes of this project will continue to contribute to improved predictions of the recovery of the ozone layer and have served as an early-warning system for emerging threats from halocarbons in the atmosphere. Society is benefitting from all of these activities as it is helping to predict, when the ozone layer - and thus the protection from skin-cancer-causing UV radiation - will fully recover. Moreover, this project has helped to better understand the risks arising from halocarbons with regard to climate change. |
Exploitation Route | These results have already attracted substantial media interest and have fed into three international assessments (SPARC, 2013, WMO Ozone Assesments, 2014 and 2018) which are directly impacting on policymakers. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
Description | This project has contributed to the two previous assessments of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on the status of the ozone layer (WMO, 2014 & 2018). Furthermore the results of this project have contributed to the recent assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2013) and thus also fed back on climate policy. Finally some of the outcomes of this project were made available to a wide public audience via a wide range of media and outreach activities (see relevant sections). In addition data from this Fellowship has been presented to ministry representatives of DEFRA and BEIS in 2017. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | SPARC Lifetime Assessment 2013 |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
Description | WMO/UNEP Ozone Assessment 2014 |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
Description | ERC Starting Grant EXC3ITE |
Amount | € 1,496,439 (EUR) |
Funding ID | Grant Agreement number: 678904 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | NERC IOF fund (PI Dr. D.E. Oram) |
Amount | £46,818 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/N006836/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 07/2017 |
Description | StratoClim (Theme: Atmospheric processes, eco-systems and climate change) |
Amount | € 28,500 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 603557 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2018 |
Title | Newly detected greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere |
Description | Data on atmospheric distributions, trends, and emissions of newly detected greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances were published alongside peer-reviewed publications in open-access journals. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Easier access for other researchers and international policy-relevant assessments. |
Description | Firn air measurements and modelling |
Organisation | University of Grenoble |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurements of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases in firn air with a focus on newly-detected gases. |
Collaborator Contribution | Reconstructing the atmospheric histories of the above-mentioned gases via firn modelling. |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in essential contributions to many scientific publications, e.g. Laube et al., Nature Geoscience, 2014; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Buizert et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Sturges et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Witrant et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2010. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Measurements of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in air samples from Taiwan |
Organisation | National Central University Taiwan |
Country | Taiwan, Province of China |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Air samples collected in Taiwan were analysed at UEA for an unprecedented range of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances to highlight the importance of the rapidly developing East Asian region on the atmospheric budgets of these species. |
Collaborator Contribution | Air samples were collected in Taiwan. |
Impact | This data is contributing to a PhD thesis currently being written up (NERC-funded student Lauren J Gooch). |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Measurements of newly detected greenhouse gases from Tacolneston Tower, UK |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Department | School of Chemistry |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Air samples collected weekly at Tacolneston Tower, UK (which is part of the DECC network to quantify UK greenhouse gas emissions) were analysed at UEA for their content of newly detected greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances in order to assess their UK emissions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Air samples were collected weekly at Tacolneston Tower, UK sine July 2015 (ongoing). In the future we will enhance the data set e.g. by comparing with other measurements taken at Tacolneston by Uni Bristol. |
Impact | None yet. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Radiative impact of newly detected greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances |
Organisation | University of Reading |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Detection and measurements of novel greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances |
Collaborator Contribution | Rediative forcing modelling of novel greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances |
Impact | Resulted in publication: Etminan, M., Highwood E.J., Laube, J.C., McPheat, R., Marston, G., Shine, K.P. and Smith, K.M., Infrared Absorption Spectra, Radiative Efficiencies, and Global Warming Potentials of Newly-Detected Halogenated Compounds: CFC-113a, CFC-112 and HCFC-133a, Atmosphere, 5, 473-483, 2014. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Stratospheric trace gas measurements: Balloons |
Organisation | Goethe University Frankfurt |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurements of newly detected greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances and chlorine isotopes in chloroflurocarbons on stratospheric air samples |
Collaborator Contribution | Collection and provision of stratospheric air samples via large balloons which provides access to higher altitudes than any aircraft |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in essential contributions to many scientific publications, e.g. Laube et al., Science, 2010; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2013; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2010 (two papers). |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Stratospheric trace gas measurements:aircraft |
Organisation | Utrecht University |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurements of halogenated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances on stratospheric air samples |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of stratospheric air samples as collected on board the Geophysica research aircraft which flies higher than any other aircraft. |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in essential contributions to many scientific publications, e.g. Laube et al., Nature Geoscience, 2014; Kloss et al., Atmosphere, 2014; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2013; Oram et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2010 (two papers). |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Trace gas distributions in the upper troposphere |
Organisation | Max Planck Society |
Department | Max Planck Institute for Chemistry |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Measurements of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases with a focus on newly detected compounds. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collection and provision of air samples collected in the upper troposphere at various locations around the world. |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in essential contributions to many scientific publications, e.g. Laube et al., Nature Geoscience, 2014; Wisher et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2014; Kloss et al., Atmosphere, 2014; Oram et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Sturges et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2012; Laube et al., Atm. Chem. Phys., 2010. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | BBC Inside Out East |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC Inside Out East TV episode on 30 years since the ozone hole was discovered. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | BBC Radio 4 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC Radio 4 episode on 30 years since the ozone hole was discovered. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Media interest following the publication of a study on new ozone-depleting substances in the journal Nature Geoscience. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release and media interest following the publication of a study on new ozone-depleting substances in the journal Nature Geoscience. World-wide media attention including BBC, Wall Street Journal, ABC, Guardian, Science News,... |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Revelations from Atmospheric Detectives |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Keynote Lecture at the British Science Festival Summary Atmospheric chemists like Dr Johannes Laube are tracking down potentially damaging molecules, and trying to work out how they affect our atmosphere, what problems they cause and how to reduce the adverse effects. "We first have to separate the trace gases from the main components of the air using extraction techniques. We then have to separate them from each other and do that using gas chromatography. Finally we mainly use different variants of mass spectrometers to detect them." Many strong greenhouse gasses, much stronger than CO2, have been detected in this way. "They can be thousands of times more powerful than CO2 so you don't need much of them to cause the atmosphere to heat up quicker. In fact, more than 20 % of the man-made greenhouse effect is currently believed to be caused by halogenated greenhouse gases , their decomposition in the atmosphere can produce compounds that are toxic to ecosystems such as trifluoroacetic acid some of those compounds start to be toxic to humans at concentrations of a few parts in a million air parts. This can happen when their concentrations build up locally e.g. in confined spaces when somebody gets close to where plastics are heated or burned." Working out how to minimise the impact that they have on both the atmosphere and our health is difficult. "Predicting the future has always been a risky business but knowledge of potential threats is a good start." After my talk I received positive feedback and was repeatedly contacted by journalists for my expertise. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | School visit (Kings Lynn) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards. Unknown. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | School visit (Martham) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk and demonstration of greenhouse effect sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | School visit (Norwich) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Activities for selected Year 5 and 6 students to enhance their understanding of the atmosphere including concepts such as buoyancy, wind, weight of the atmosphere, trace gases and the greenhouse effect. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | School visit (Norwich) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Discussion of a recent publication with students sparked questions and interest. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | School visit (Thetford) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards. Unknown. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |