Using a gas viewer to study the spatial distribution of anthropogenic gases in the near-earth atmosphere

A new method and facilities have been developed For remotely determining th e spatial pattern with which anthropogenic gases are distributed in the nea r-earth atmosphere. The paper discusses the possibilities of using artifici al earth satellites for monitoring in the most ecologically unfavorable reg ions, for detailed inspection from aircraft of the pattern of the status an d dynamics of gaseous contamination caused by sources of impurity emissions , and also for detecting methane leaks from pipelines. (C) 1999 The Optical Society of America. [S1070-9762(99)00308-5].