Vol. 16, issue 03, article # 9

Grutter M., Flores E., Basaldud R., Ruiz-Suarez L. G. Open-path FTIR spectroscopic studies of the trace gases over Mexico City. // Atmospheric and oceanic optics. 2003. V. 16. No. 03. P. 232-236.    PDF
Copy the reference to clipboard

Abstract:

A long open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectrometer was used to detect and monitor the concentrations of the main gaseous pollutants near downtown Mexico City. The modulated infrared beam, with a spectral resolution of 0.5 cm-1, was transmitted and collected by a pair of Cassegrainian telescopes after traveling 426 m horizontally across the atmosphere. The concentrations from the spectra were retrieved by a classical least-squares regression using measured, when available, and synthetically generated spectra as references. Results are presented on measurements carried out during February 2002. The concentration profiles of acetylene, ethylene, ethane, propane, and methane are reported for the first time in the region with a high temporal resolution. The data are coupled with meteorological information so that rose-wind generation is performed and the possible common sources for these compounds are analyzed and discussed.