Carbon Monoxide Variability in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Measured by High-Resolution Solar Absorption Spectroscopy

Vertical profiles of atmospheric Carbon Monoxide (CO) have been retrieved from solar absorption FT-IR spectra measured at the NDSC station in Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen (79N, 12E) and on board the German research vessel Polarstern. Results are presented from seven years of FT-IR measurements in Spitsbergen and from 5 different ship cruises in the Atlantic between 50N and 40S. CO enhancements due to biomass burning have been detected in the equatorial regions as well as in the Arctic. Other trace gases related to biomass burning have also been studied. The characterization of the profiles has been established by an information content analysis and an estimation of the error budgets.