VERTICAL DISPERSION OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE TROPOSPHERE.

Vertical distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) at different altitudes (1000-100 mb) in the troposphere over a tropical coastal site, Thiruvananthapuram (8o29’N, 76o57’E) were analyzed. CO data from Measurements of Pollution in The Troposphere (MOPITT) and Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) for a period of 5-years from 2004-2008 were used in this study. Vertical CO profile shows a high mixing ratio at the surface (1000 mb), decreases with increase in altitude up to 400 mb, thereafter it shows an enhancement around ~300-200 mb and again low mixing ratio up to 100 mb. CO enhancement at ~300 mb indicates the effects of deep convective systems that trap CO. Seasonal variability in vertical distribution and transport of tropospheric CO were monitored.