INCREASING CONCENTRATIONS OF CO AND O-3 - RISING DEFORESTATION RATES AND INCREASING TROPOSHERIC CARBON-MONOXIDE AND OZONE IN AMAZONIA

Increasing carbon monoxide and ozone concentrations have been observed in the lower troposphere of the Brazilian Amazon region in recent yea rs (1989-1995). Carbon monoxide and ozone have been measured in the re gion continuously; from observations at a single site and many sporadi c field missions, there is a clear indication that the chemical activi ty in the troposphere is growing, with increasing concentrations espec ially during the dry season. On the other hand, the most recent defore station assessment by the Brazilian Government, performed by the Insti tute Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) using Landsat data, shows yearly rates rising from me 11,130 km(2) year(-1) minimum of the 1990/ 91 survey, to 13,786 km(2) year(-1) for the 1991/92 period, and 14,896 km(2) year(-1) for the period 1992/94. It is argued that the increase in deforestation/biomass burning activities in ''Amazonia'' have prod uced larger carbon monoxide and ozone concentrations in the lower atmo sphere.