From Science Alert:
A NASA satellite captured harrowing images of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere due to the wildfires that continue to rage in the Amazon rainforest.
NASA collected new data from their Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument, measuring levels of carbon monoxide at an altitude of 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) from August 8 to 22, according to a press release.
The AIRS, which is aboard NASA's Aqua satellite, measures "atmospheric temperature and humidity, cloud amounts and heights, greenhouse gas concentrations and many other atmospheric phenomena," the press release stated.
"Green indicates concentrations of carbon monoxide at approximately 100 parts per billion by volume (ppbv); yellow, at about 120 ppbv; and dark red, at about 160 ppbv," NASA wrote in the press release. "Local values can be significantly higher."
As an air pollutant that can travel long distances and stay in the atmosphere for about a month, carbon monoxide plays a significant role in climate change.
Concern for the world's largest rainforest arose as a record number of wildfires blazed through the Amazon this year – a total of 72,843 incidents, according to Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE).
The fires were reportedly caused by humans. Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged the development of the rainforest for mining, logging, and farming.
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