Differences in the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases in and above the tropical boundary layer

Weekly air samples were collected at Cape Kumakahi (0 km) and at nearby Mauna Loa Observatory (3.4 km) which is above the boundary layer. EC/GC and GC/FID techniques were used to measure CH₃I, CHCl₃, CO and CH₄, which are largely natural in origin, and C₂Cl₄, CCl₄, CH₃, CCl₃, CCl₃F (F-11), CCl₂F₂ (F-12), CHClF₂ (F-22) and C₂F₃Cl₃ (F-113), which are due to anthropogenic activities. It was found that all these gases are significantly (0.05) more abundant in the boundary layer than above it.