Spectroscopic measurements of atmospheric carbon monoxide and methane. 1: latitudinal distribution

The results of spectroscopic total column measurements of CO and CH4 at different points of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in 1970–1985, are reported. Seasonal cycles of CO are evident for all the sites. The Northern Hemispheric long-term positive trend of CO seems to be 1.5–2% per year. In the Southern Hemisphere, temporal increasing was not detected and a possible upper limit for it is about 0.6% per year. Methane concentration in the Northern Hemisphere increases at a rate of 1.2% per year.