[en] Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have played a major role in the depletion of stratospheric ozone. Understanding historical trends in emissions and atmospheric concentrations is crucial for quantifying their impact. The first measurements of atmospheric CFCs were performed in-situ by Lovelock in 1970. We have analyzed historical 1951 solar absorption infrared spectra, recorded at Jungfraujoch, to retrieve the CFC-12 surface mole fraction. We compare to routine solar absorption measurements starting at Jungfraujoch in 1986 and emission-based forward models. The surface mole fraction derived from the historical spectra is (26.1 ± 18.5) pptv compared to (9.2 ± 0.2) pptv from a reconstructed history model, and (7.00 ± 0.28) pptv from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment 12-Box model. The 1951 measurement and model values agree within error bars although the models may be biased low due to unreported emissions. Our result represents the earliest atmospheric CFC measurement, predating Lovelock's detection by over two decades.
Research Center/Unit :
SPHERES - ULiège
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Makkor, Jamal; Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Palm, Mathias; Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Pardo Cantos, Irene ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Groupe infra-rouge de physique atmosphérique et solaire (GIRPAS)
Buschmann, Matthias; Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Mahieu, Emmanuel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Groupe infra-rouge de physique atmosphérique et solaire (GIRPAS)
Wang, Zihao; School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Chipperfield, Martyn; School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
Notholt, Justus; Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Language :
English
Title :
First Measurements of CFC-12 in 1951 at Jungfraujoch and Comparison to Current Measurements and Atmospheric Models
Publication date :
February 2026
Journal title :
Geophysical Research Letters
ISSN :
0094-8276
eISSN :
1944-8007
Publisher :
Wiley, Washington, United States - District of Columbia
Volume :
53
Issue :
3
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwitzerland ULiège - University of Liège
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