Digital Simulation of the Global Transport of Carbon Monoxide

Abstract

A numerical model of the general atmospheric circulation is used to simulate the global transport of carbon monoxide. The sources are estimated from gasoline consumption data. Since the strongest sources lie in the northern hemisphere belt of strong prevailing westerly winds, “chaining” effects are quite pronounced. Emissions generated in one populous area are soon superimposed upon those of the next area downwind. Subscale cumulus convection, which is parameterized in the model, accounts for a significant fraction of the vertical CO transport.