Knowledge Bank

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 $0.06cm-1$ resolution. Sample atmospheric spectra and fitting examples are presented for key species relevant to stratospheric chemistry and global change: ozone $(O3)$, a chlorofluorocarbon $(CF2Cl2)$, a greenhouse gas $(N2O)$, HCl, NO and $HNO3$. Secondly, I briefly describe urban air pollution measurements at an intersection with heavy traffic in Tueson, AZ. Two FTIR spectrometers of $1cm-1$ resolution were employed to carry out long-path open-path measurements of the $CO/CO2$ ratio and $SF6$. Two FEAT and two LPUV instruments were employed for ancillary measurements of $CO,CO2,NO$, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Measurements of CO at two heights and a comparison of $CO/CO2$ ratios obtained by FEAT exhaust emission and FTIR ambient air measurements are reported.