Measurements of the atmospheric carbon monoxide column with a ground-based length-modulated radiometer

A ground-based remote sounding instrument that uses a length-modulated radiometer to measure the total atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) column has been built. Measurements made in Toronto during August and September of 1994 showed average CO concentrations of 125 to 150 parts per billion in volume (ppbv, parts in 10(9)). Similar measurements made in October at a rural site 80 km north of Toronto showed concentrations of approximately 100 ppbv. The latter measurements are shown to agree with other simultaneous ground- and satellite-based measurements. This instrument is an advanced prototype of the MOPITT (Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere) satellite instrument.