Earth System Research Laboratory Halocarbons and Other Atmospheric Trace Gases Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (CATS) Measurements
ESRL GMD HATS CATS
The Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species (HATS) group aims to quantify the distributions and magnitudes of sources and sinks for atmospheric nitrous oxide and halogen containing compounds. They utilize numerous types of platforms, including ground-based stations, towers, ships, aircraft, and balloons to accomplish their mission. HATS also measures chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) at its various measurement sites. CFCs are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals that contains atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. They are classified as halocarbons which are compounds that contain carbon and halogen atoms. CFCs were used as solvents, refrigerants, and aerosol sprays. While inert in the lower atmosphere, CFCs decompose in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) with some of the released chlorine becoming active in destroying ozone in the stratosphere. Over time this lead to the creation of the "Ozone Hole" over the Antarctic. Monitoring the amounts of CFCs and other trace gases is important to tracking the growth or recovery of the Ozone Hole.
The Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (CATS) instruments have been in operation at the NOAA baseline observatories (Barrow, AK, Mauna Loa, HI, American Samoa, and South Pole, Antarctica) since 1999. The CATS instrument measure nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-12 (CCl2F2), CFC-11 (CCl3F), and CFC-113 (CCl2F-CClF2)), Halon-1211 (CBrClF2), methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The CATS gas chromatographs are custom built instruments that contain separation columns, flow controllers, an air selection valve, and an electron capture detector; all used for making measurements.
Through the Big Earth Data Initiative (BEDI), ESRL/GMD has taken their data collection and converted files into NetCDF-4, a self-describing format.
The Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (CATS) instruments have been in operation at the NOAA baseline observatories (Barrow, AK, Mauna Loa, HI, American Samoa, and South Pole, Antarctica) since 1999. The CATS instrument measure nitrous oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-12 (CCl2F2), CFC-11 (CCl3F), and CFC-113 (CCl2F-CClF2)), Halon-1211 (CBrClF2), methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The CATS gas chromatographs are custom built instruments that contain separation columns, flow controllers, an air selection valve, and an electron capture detector; all used for making measurements.
Through the Big Earth Data Initiative (BEDI), ESRL/GMD has taken their data collection and converted files into NetCDF-4, a self-describing format.
Dataset Citation
- Cite as: Dutton, Geoffrey; James Elkins II, Bradley Hall, and NOAA ESRL (2017): Earth System Research Laboratory Halocarbons and Other Atmospheric Trace Gases Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (CATS) Measurements, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5X0659V [access date].
Dataset Identifiers
- doi:10.7289/V5X0659V
- NCEI DSI 3269_02
- gov.noaa.ncdc:C01556
ISO 19115-2 Metadata
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01556
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Ordering Instructions | Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. |
Distributor |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov |
Dataset collaborator | Dutton, Geoffrey Professional Research Assistant DOC/NOAA/ESRL/GMD > Global Monitoring Division, Earth System Research Laboratory, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (303) 497-6086 geoff.dutton@noaa.gov |
Time Period | 1998-06-01 to Present (time interval: 1-hour) |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates |
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
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General Documentation |
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Edition | Version 1 |
Data Presentation Form | Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns |
Dataset Progress Status | Ongoing - data is continually being updated |
Data Update Frequency | Quarterly |
Purpose | The general mission of the Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species group is to quantify the distributions and magnitudes of sources and sinks for atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) and halogen containing compounds. |
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Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
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Data Center keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
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Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
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Instrument keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
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Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
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Project keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
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Data Resolution keywords |
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
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Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
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Lineage Statement | Raw data are collected at field sites, transferred daily to an NOAA server where initial processing is performed. Finally, quality control and processing are conducted on a desktop computer about quarterly. |
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Processing Environment | Initial peak integration of chromatograms is conducted on a Linux computer using GCwerks software. Python scripts perform initial quality control and data consolidation. Finally, quality control and processing are completed on an Apple computer using custom software developed in Igor Pro. |
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Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov