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Atmospheric lifetime of SF 5 CF 3
Author(s) -
Takahashi K.,
Nakayama T.,
Matsumi Y.,
Solomon S.,
Gejo T.,
Shigemasa E.,
Wallington T. J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl015356
Subject(s) - thermosphere , stratosphere , trace gas , mesosphere , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric chemistry , dissociative recombination , environmental science , range (aeronautics) , ozone , atomic physics , physics , materials science , chemistry , meteorology , ionosphere , astronomy , biochemistry , recombination , composite material , gene
The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorption spectrum of SF 5 CF 3 was measured over the range 106–200 nm. At 121.6 nm, σ(base e) = (7.8 ± 0.6) × 10 −18 cm 2 molecule −1 , in which quoted uncertainty includes two standard deviation from the least‐square fit in the Beer‐Lambert plot and our estimate of potential systematic errors associated with measurements of the reactant concentrations. The VUV spectrum and literature data for electron attachment and ion‐molecule reactions were incorporated into a model of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere. This information provides better constraints on the atmospheric lifetime and hence on the potential of this highly radiatively‐active trace gas to influence the climate system. The atmospheric lifetime of SF 5 CF 3 is dominated by dissociative electron attachment and is estimated to be approximately 950 years. Solar proton events could reduce this to a lower limit of 650 years.