DIURNAL VARIABILITY OF ATMOSPHERIC METHANE, NONMETHANE HYDROCARBONS, AND CARBON-MONOXIDE AT MAUNA-LOA

Atmospheric methane, nonmethane hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide were measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory on the island of Hawaii in May and June 1988. The daily island upslope/downslope circulation resulted in a variable mixture of boundary layer and free tropospheric air at the observatory. Mixing ratios of these gases were higher during upslope flow than during downslope flow. Mixing ratios characteristic of the free troposphere at this altitude were most often measured during nighttime, downslope flow. Local marine emissions of ethylene and propylene and emissions of isoprene from island vegetation were detected during upslope circulation, but ethylene and propylene were also often detected at night during downslope circulation, indicating that air sampled during nighttime downslope flow may have included some air recently transported from the marine boundary layer. Comparison of data for methane, carbon monoxide, ethane, and propane from in situ measurements with measurements made from canister samples collected during the experiment showed very good agreement. Fluxes of isoprene from selected dominant island flora were also measured.