Remote absorption spectroscopy uses coded electromagnetic transmission directed through a medium under investigation to one or more remote receivers. The coded transmission includes at least one wavelength coincident with an absorption band of interest and one wavelength in an off-line band and a predefined relationship between spectral components in and outside the absorption band is controlled. The relationship between spectral components may be evaluated at the receiver to determine whether deviation thereof from the controlled relationship at the transmitter exists at the receiver. The deviation of the received optical signal from the prescribed relationship is processed to indicate the absorption of the radiation in the absorption band.