15

If I release a say, one litre of gas, at a particular point on the planet, how soon, on average, would it take to be distributed evenly (mixed) across the entire earth's atmosphere?

David LeBauer
  • 998
  • 7
  • 22
nemo183
  • 161
  • 6
  • Can you explain what do you mean by homologize? Do you mean mix entirely until evenly distributed? – milancurcic May 23 '14 at 16:47
  • Exactly that, evenly distributed - you've phrased it far better. There seems to be far more data on the circulation of the ocean, but I want some estimate of this to include in a seminar, and I'd rather it be an informed estimate rather then my best guess. – nemo183 May 23 '14 at 17:39
  • 1
    @nemo183 I believe the word you want is "homogenize", rather than "homologize". – senshin May 23 '14 at 20:18
  • You are right. I'd couldn't decide between the two, and choose the wrong option. – nemo183 May 24 '14 at 23:47

1 Answers1

11

The time scale of interhemispheric tropospheric transport is in the order of one year (Chapter 4 of the book Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry written by Daniel J Jacob). This is not an exact answer to your question, but might be a fair enough number for the problem you have in mind.

BHF
  • 1,681
  • 1
  • 18
  • 38
  • Thank you, BHF. I've now read the chapter and I doubt there is a fuller explanation. It's exactly what I'd hoped for - always nice to have the maths to hand! – nemo183 May 24 '14 at 23:53
  • 3
    @nemo while this answer is sufficient, a fuller explanation exists, for example to include discussion of residence times and stratosphere mixixing. – David LeBauer May 29 '14 at 05:13