Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in African savannah air

Abstract

Recent measurements of tropospheric mixing ratios of methane, non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), and carbon monoxide (CO) from the Kenyan savannah are reported. NMHC mixing ratios are among the lowest reported for the continental boundary layer. CO mixing ratios are higher than marine measurements at these latitudes. Biomass burning may contribute significantly to mixing ratios of CO and NMHC's. Calculations based on the reactivity of the OH radical with NMHC's and CO indicate that NMHC's often initially consume more OH than CO.