<p>The time scale of interhemispheric tropospheric transport is in the order of one year (Chapter 4 of the book <a href="http://acmg.seas.harvard.edu/publications/jacobbook/index.html">Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry</a> 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.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-24T23:53:53.747Z
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
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2014-05-29T05:13:03.400Z
@nemo while this answer is sufficient, a fuller explanation exists, for example to include discussion of residence times and stratosphere mixixing.
David LeBauer
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2014-05-24T20:36:16.077Z
2014-05-24T21:08:55.287Z
2014-05-24T21:08:55.287Z
BHF
<p>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?</p>

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2014-05-23T16:47:08.140Z
Can you explain what do you mean by homologize? Do you mean mix entirely until evenly distributed?
milancurcic
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2014-05-23T17:39:05.153Z
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
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-23T20:18:30.027Z
@nemo183 I believe the word you want is "homogenize", rather than "homologize".
senshin
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2014-05-24T23:47:19.740Z
You are right. I'd couldn't decide between the two, and choose the wrong option.
nemo183
<meteorology><climate><atmospheric-circulation>
How long does it take for the atmosphere to mix?
nemo183
# How long does it take for the atmosphere to mix?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-05-23)

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?

**Tags:** meteorology, climate, atmospheric-circulation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you explain what do you mean by homologize? Do you mean mix entirely until evenly distributed?  
> **username_0**: 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.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 I believe the word you want is "homogenize", rather than "homologize".  
> **username_0**: You are right. I'd couldn't decide between the two, and choose the wrong option.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-05-24. Score: 11 | Accepted answer

The time scale of interhemispheric tropospheric transport is in the order of one year (Chapter 4 of the book [Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry](http://acmg.seas.harvard.edu/publications/jacobbook/index.html) 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.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: 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!  
> **username_4**: @nemo while this answer is sufficient, a fuller explanation exists, for example to include discussion of residence times and stratosphere mixixing.  

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