SINKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FOR ATMOSPHERIC CARBON-MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide is one of the main reactive trace gases in the earth's atmosphere: it influences the atmospheric chemistry as well as the cl imate. In order to evaluate the atmospheric budget for carbon monoxide , a knowledge of its destruction/uptake rates by the individual sinks is required. In this study, our current understanding of sinks for atm ospheric carbon monoxide is discussed. Although the major sinks have b een identified estimates for their strengths are still uncertain. Expe rimental data are available for only a few locations, and more measure ments in representative regions world-wide are required in order to ev aluate the CO global budget more accurately. Our current understanding of the environmental impacts of carbon monoxide is reviewed. CO is a toxic gas which can cause fatal asphyxiation. However, our knowledge o f the effects of exposure to moderate doses of CO on the health and be haviour of humans is limited. Carbon monoxide also contributes indirec tly to global warming and ozone depletion. So, there is a need for a b etter understanding of the atmospheric chemical processes involving CO in order to reduce the uncertainties in the estimates of its impact o n the global environment.