Methyl Bromide and Selected Halocarbons: Response of the Ocean to the Montreal Protocol and Subsequent Amendments

该奖项由2009年《美国复苏和再投资法》(公法111-5)资助。自《蒙特利尔议定书》及其修正案禁止使用甲基溴(CH3Br)、其他卤素和氯氟烃以来，大气中这些物质的浓度有所下降。这表明，假设生物生产率保持不变，海洋的价值也应该低于逐步淘汰之前。德克萨斯农工大学的一名科学家将在大西洋和太平洋盆地的巡航期间对这些参数进行测量，以评估甲烷溴和其他卤代烃的表层海洋浓度和饱和状态的时空变异性。此外，这位科学家还将研究甲烷溴和其他卤代烃的分布与遥感海洋参数(如海表面温度)之间的关系。最后，将确定CH3Br的生物生产或降解率的任何潜在变化。这项研究的结果将促进对海洋在大气卤素循环中的作用的理解，以及进一步了解这些组分在海水中的来源和循环。这一科学进展将使科学家和模型师能够发展海洋痕量气体的海/气通量将如何对全球大气/海洋化学和气候变化作出反应的预测能力。至于更广泛的影响，了解已经颁布的环境政策和议定书的结果和影响，如《蒙特利尔议定书》，对于评估颁布新环境政策的潜在影响十分重要。这项研究的结果将被纳入提倡者研究生和本科生课程的教材中。作为该项目的一部分，一名研究生将得到支持和培训。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Since the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, banning the use of methyl bromide (CH3Br), other halocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons, the concentration of these substances in the atmosphere have declined. This suggests the ocean should also have lower values than prior to the phaseout assuming the rates of biological production remain unchanged. A scientist from Texas A&M University will be conducting measurements of these parameters during cruises in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean basin to assess the spatial and temporal variability of surface ocean concentrations and saturation states of CH3Br and other halocarbons. In addition, the scientist will investigate the relationship between the distribution of CH3Br and the other halocarbons and remotely sensed oceanic parameters such as sea surface temperature. Lastly, any potential changes in the biological production or degradation rates of CH3Br would be ascertained. Results from this research will advance the understanding of the role of the ocean in the cycling of atmospheric halocarbons, as well as further our knowledge on the origin and cycling of these components in seawater. This scientific progression will allow scientist and modelers to develop the predictive capability on how air/sea fluxes of oceanic trace gases will respond to global changes in atmosphere/ocean chemistry and climate. As regards broader impacts, understanding the results and impacts of environmental policies and protocols that have already been enacted, such as the Montreal Protocol, is important in assessing the potential ramifications of enacting new environmental policies. Results from this study would be incorporated into the teaching materials for the proponent's graduate and undergraduate classes. One graduate student would be supported and trained as part of this project.