FT-IR REMOTE SENSING OF ATMOSPHERIC SPECIES: APPLICATION TO GLOBAL CHANGE AND AIR POLLUTION

Abstract

In this contribution I describe two applications of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to the monitoring of atmospheric compounds. Firstly, I report FTIR solar spectroscopy measurements carried out at ground level at NCAR and on airplanes employing a spectrometer of $0.06 cm^{-1}$ resolution. Sample atmospheric spectra and fitting examples are presented for key species relevant to stratospheric chemistry and global change: ozone $(O_{3})$, a chlorofluorocarbon $(CF_{2}Cl_{2})$, a greenhouse gas $(N_{2}O)$, HCl, NO and $HNO_{3}$. Secondly, I briefly describe urban air pollution measurements at an intersection with heavy traffic in Tueson, AZ. Two FTIR spectrometers of $1 cm^{-1}$ resolution were employed to carry out long-path open-path measurements of the $CO/CO_{2}$ ratio and $SF_{6}$. Two FEAT and two LPUV instruments were employed for ancillary measurements of $CO, CO_{2}, NO$, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Measurements of CO at two heights and a comparison of $CO/CO_{2}$ ratios obtained by FEAT exhaust emission and FTIR ambient air measurements are reported.