Abstract
Abstract. The global burden of carbon monoxide (CO) is rather uncertain. In this paper we address the potential for UV-induced CO emission by living terrestrial vegetation surfaces. Real-time measurements of CO concentrations were made with a cavity-enhanced laser spectrometer connected in closed loop to either a chamber on a field of grass or a plant-leaf scale chamber. Leaves of all plant species that were examined exhibited emission of CO in response to artificial UV radiation as well as the UV component of natural solar radiation. The UV-induced rate of CO emission exhibited a low dependence on temperature, indicating an abiotic process. The emission of CO in response to the UV component of natural solar radiation was also evident at the natural grassland scale.
Highlights
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a reactive gas which, in part, controls the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere (IPCC, 2001)
Carbon monoxide can lead to the formation of ozone (O3), and since CO is a main reactant of hydroxyl (OH) radicals, which are the principal sink for atmospheric methane (CH4), CO indirectly affects the atmospheric CH4 levels (IPCC, 2001)
Estimated total global source strengths and estimated total sink strengths are very similar (IPCC, 2001), but large uncertainties remain about the strength of the individual natural terrestrial direct sources (Potter et al, 1996; Guenther, 2002), which adds a great uncertainty to estimates of the net CO burden (360 Tg CO yr−1, IPCC, 2001)
Summary
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a reactive gas which, in part, controls the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere (IPCC, 2001). Carbon monoxide is an important trace gas in the atmosphere (IPCC, 2001). All natural terrestrial direct CO emissions, in the range of 50–200 Tg CO yr−1, have hitherto been ascribed by the IPCC (1995, 2001) to photo-induced CO emission by living plants (cf Tarr et al, 1995). In the studies underlying the photo-induced CO emission by living plants, which were incorporated into previous global CO budgets (IPCC 1995, 2001), the UV component of (sun)light was not considered (Seiler and Giehl 1977; Seiler et al, 1978). Experiments were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions and under in situ field conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
