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The contribution of natural halogenation processes to the atmospheric halomethane burden

  • Chapter
Naturally-Produced Organohalogens

Part of the book series: Environment & Chemistry ((ENVC,volume 1))

Abstract

The discovery that man-made halogenated gases such as the chlorofluorocarbons have affected the rate of ozone destruction in the upper atmosphere has stimulated a burgeoning interest in identifying and quantifying the natural sources of volatile halogenated compounds. In terms of atmospheric abundance the most important of these compounds are undoubtedly the gaseous monohalomethanes, in particular chloromethane (CH3Cl). However other less volatile polyhalogenated compounds such as bromoform (CHBr3) are also formed in nature in substantial quantities. The mean concentrations of these compounds in the atmosphere and in seawater are given in Table 1 with estimates for each of the annual global inputs to the atmosphere from both natural and anthropogenic sources. An approximate residence time for each compound in the atmosphere is also included. This paper will review current knowledge concerning the natural sources of these halomethanes and the mechanisms by which they are formed. The environmental significance of the amounts produced will be considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Biochemistry Section, Department of Food Science, Food and Agricultural Chemistry Research Division, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX, UK

    David B. Harper

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  1. David B. Harper
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

    Anders Grimvall

  2. TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences, Delft, The Netherlands

    Ed W. B. de Leer

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Harper, D.B. (1995). The contribution of natural halogenation processes to the atmospheric halomethane burden. In: Grimvall, A., de Leer, E.W.B. (eds) Naturally-Produced Organohalogens. Environment & Chemistry, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0061-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0061-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4032-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-0061-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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