A quantitative assessment of uncertainties affecting estimates of global mean OH derived from methyl chloroform observations

摘要: [1] We estimated the global abundance of OH for years 1988–1994 by interpreting observations methyl chloroform (MCF) from two networks using an inverse technique and a 3-D chemical transport model driven assimilated meteorology. Our inversion approach optimized both emissions MCF OH. Because priori overestimate latitudinal gradient concentration in standard setup, lowers sink due to Optimized are about 10% lower than published inventories on average between 1988 1994, decrease suggested implies lifetime (with respect tropospheric OH) 6.9 years, 11–21% longer 5.7–6.2 reported previous optimization studies. results need match observed while balancing budget. find that these depend constraint placed emissions, rate interhemispheric mixing model, distribution assumed, simulation pollution events. Since factors highly uncertain, we believe level understanding lifetimes pollutants removed is might be implied narrow range estimates literature.