Trends `93: A compendium of data on global change

Abstract

This document provides synopses of frequently used global-change data. This third issue of the Trends series presents historical and modern records of atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}), methane (CH{sub 4}), nitrous oxide (N{sub 2}O), two chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-11 and CFC-12), a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC-22), and two halons (H-1301 and H-1211) from an expanded number of globally distributed data sets. Virtually all of the modern records extend into the 1990s, some into 1994. Additional trace gas data presented in Trends `93 include historical atmospheric CO{sub 2}, CH{sub 4}, and N{sub 2}O records derived from ice cores. Trends `93 also includes revised and updated estimates through 1991 for global, regional, and national CO{sub 2} emissions produced from the burning of fossil fuels, gas flaring, and the production of cement. Updated global emissions estimates through 1992 are also presented for CFC-11 and CFC-12. In addition, Trends `93 updates and expands the presentation of long-term temperature records, whose spatial coverage ranges from an individual Antarctic (ice core) site to the entire globe and from the Earth`s surface to the lower stratosphere. New subject matter appearing in Trends `93 includes a chapter for long-term regional precipitation records, several time-series records for atmospheric - {sup 14}C aerosols, and isotopic measurements for atmospheric CO{sub 2} from several sites. Data records are presented in multipage formats, each dealing with a specific site, region, or emissions species. The data records include tables; graphs; discussions of methods for collecting, measuring, and reporting the data; trends in the data, and references to literature providing further information. Instructions for citing specific data in Trends `93 are provided for each compiled data set. All data appearing in Trends `93 are available on digital media from the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC).