Abstract
IT is now well known that levels of atmospheric CO2, CH4, N2O and CO are increasing at substantial rates as a result of human activities. Here we report that levels of another trace gas, molecular hydrogen, are also increasing. Our systematic measurements between 1985 and 1989 show that the concentration of H2 increased at an average rate of 3.2 ± 0.5 parts per 109 by volume per year (a relative increase of 0.6 ± 0.1% yr−1). These increases originate from anthropogenic sources. Higher levels of hydrogen will add more water vapour to the stratosphere, where it can affect stratospheric ozone.
Access options
Subscribe to Journal
Get full journal access for 1 year
$199.00
only $3.90 per issue
All prices are NET prices.
VAT will be added later in the checkout.
Rent or Buy article
Get time limited or full article access on ReadCube.
from$8.99
All prices are NET prices.
References
- 1
Rasmussen, R. A. & Khalil, M. A. K. J. geophys. Res. 86, 9826–9832 (1981).
- 2
Rasmussen, R. A. & Lovelock, J. E. J. geophys. Res. 88, 8369–8378 (1983).
- 3
Khalil, M. A. K. & Rasmussen, R. A. Nature 332, 242–245 (1988).
- 4
Khalil, M. A. K. & Rasmussen, R. A. Envir. Sci. Technol. 24, 549–553 (1990).
- 5
Khalil, M. A. K. & Rasmussen, R. A. Antarct. J. U.S. (in the press).
- 6
Khalil, M. A. K. & Rasmussen, R. A. Global Monit. clim. Change 17, 111–113 (1989).
- 7
Schmidt, U. J. geophys. Res. 83, 941–946 (1978).
- 8
Herr, F. L. & Barger, W. R. J. geophys. Res. 83, 6199–6205 (1978).
- 9
Enhalt, D. H., Schmidt, U. & Heidt, L. E. J. geophys. Res. 82, 5907–5911 (1977).
- 10
Snedecor, G. W. & Cochran, W. G. Statistical Methods (Iowa State University Press, Am's, 1980).
- 11
Hollander, M. & Wolfe, D. A. Nonparametric Statistical Methods (Wiley, New York, 1973).
- 12
Schmidt, U. Tellus 26, 78–90 (1974); 27, 1 (1974).
- 13
Warneck, P. Chemistry of the Natural Atmosphere (Academic, New York, 1988).
- 14
Crutzen, P. J., Heidt, L. E., Krasnec, J. P., Pollock, W. H. & Seiler, W. Nature 282, 253–256 (1979).
- 15
Seiler, W. & Schmidt, U. The Sea 5, 219–243 (1974).
- 16
Conrad, R. & Seiler, W. J. geophys. Res. 85, 5493–5498 (1980).
Author information
Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Khalil, M., Rasmussen, R. Global increase of atmospheric molecular hydrogen. Nature 347, 743–745 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/347743a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
Further reading
-
Atmospheric History of H 2 Over the Past Century Reconstructed From South Pole Firn Air
Geophysical Research Letters (2020)
-
Atmospheric molecular hydrogen (H2) at the Shangdianzi regional background station in China
Atmospheric Environment (2016)
-
A 60 yr record of atmospheric carbon monoxide reconstructed from Greenland firn air
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2013)
-
Deep degassing as a reason for abnormally high bioproductivity of paleobasins and mass destruction of hydrobionts
Paleontological Journal (2013)
-
H<sub>2</sub> vertical profiles in the continental boundary layer: measurements at the Cabauw tall tower in The Netherlands
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2011)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
