Trace gas measurements at the monitoring station Cape Point, South Africa, between 1978 and 1988

Since 1978, a measuring station has been operated at Cape Point (34°21′ S, 18°29′ E). In this article, results of measurements of CO, CFCl3, CCl4, O3, N2O and CH4 are presented as monthly means and analyzed with respect to long-term trends and seasonal variations. For CO and CH4, very similar seasonal variations have been observed, indicating strong interrelations between these two gases. For CO and O3, no significant changes of the mean annual concentrations can be established for the observation periods of 10 and 5 years, respectively. The measurements yield a growth rate of 9.1 pptv yr-1 for CFCl3 (1980–1987) and 0.6 ppbv yr-1 for N2O (1983–1987). The concentration increases of CH4 (10.3 ppbv yr-1 for 1983–1987) and of CCl4 (2.1 pptv yr-1 for 1980–1988) are analyzed for temporal changes during the last years.