Earth ID: 30640

Simulated Surface Carbon Monoxide

Released on December 10, 2014

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas emitted primarily from bio- and fossil fuel combustion and forest fires. CO is regulated by the environmental protection agency because extremely high concentrations can cause harmful health effects. This simulation, produced by the Goddard Earth Observing System Model Version 5 (GEOS-5) at 7-kilometer resolution, shows carbon monoxide concentrations at Earth’s surface from December 1-31, 2006. In the atmosphere, CO has a lifetime of about one month resulting in the highest mixing ratios over source regions. The CO seen here primarily comes from fires burning in South America and Africa, and industrial activities taking place in urban areas such as Europe, Asia, and the United States. Atmospheric circulation quickly moves CO in concentrated masses, often transporting this pollutant from one continent to the next. Simulations such as this allow scientists to better understand the variability and transport of CO and show both the regional and global impacts of pollution.

Credits

William Putman (NASA/GSFC): Lead Animator
Eric Sokolowsky (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Project Support

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/30640

Keywords:
SVS >> HDTV
GCMD >> Earth Science >> Atmosphere >> Atmospheric Chemistry/Carbon and Hydrocarbon Compounds >> Carbon Monoxide
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> GEOS
NASA Science >> Earth

GCMD keywords can be found on the Internet with the following citation: Olsen, L.M., G. Major, K. Shein, J. Scialdone, S. Ritz, T. Stevens, M. Morahan, A. Aleman, R. Vogel, S. Leicester, H. Weir, M. Meaux, S. Grebas, C.Solomon, M. Holland, T. Northcutt, R. A. Restrepo, R. Bilodeau, 2013. NASA/Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords. Version 8.0.0.0.0