Chemistry of the Natural Atmosphere

Knowledge of thc chemical behavior of trace compounds in the atmosphere has grown steadily, and sometimes even spectacularly, in recent decades. These developments have led to the emergence of atmospheric chemistry as a new branch of science. This book covers all aspects of atmospheric chemistry on a global scale, integrating information from chemistry and geochemistry, physics, and biology to provide a unified account. For each atmospheric constituent of interest, the text summarizes the principal observations on global distribution, chemical reactions, natural and anthropogenic sources, and physical removal processes. Coverage includes processes in the gas phase, in aerosols and c1ouds, and in precipitation, as well as biogeochemical cycles and the evolution of the atmosphere. Chemistry of the Natural Atmosphere, Second Edition, will serve as a textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate courses, and as an essential reference for atmospheric chemists, meteorologists, and anyone studying the biogeochemical cycles of trace gases. * Updated extensively from the highly respected first edition * Treats the global-scale chemistry and distribution of atmospheric trace constituents * Emphasizes observations and their interpretation* Provides background on transport and reaction kinetics for interpretation of observational data* Includes chemistry in the gas phase and in aerosols and clouds* Details chemical reaction pathways for the most important trace constituents* Describes pertinent biogeochemical cycles* Written by an author with more than 40 years of research experience in atmospheric chemistry

Discusses current research and advances in the field of environmental chemistry, including atmospheric chemistry, the chemistry of water pollution, and green chemistry.

Atmospheric Chemistry provides readers with a basic knowledge of the chemistry of Earth's atmosphere, and an understanding of the role that chemical transformations play in this vital part of our environment. The composition of the 'natural' atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere and mesosphere) is described in terms of the physical and chemical cycles that govern the behaviour of the major and the many minor species present, and of the atmospheric lifetimes of those species. An extension of these ideas leads to a discussion of the impacts of Man's activities on the atmosphere, and to an understanding of some of the most important environmental issues of our time. One thread of the book explains how living organisms alter the composition and pressures in the atmosphere, modify temperatures, and change the intensity and wavelength-distribution of light arriving from the Sun. Meanwhile, the living organisms on Earth have depended on these very same environmental conditions being satisfactory for the maintenance and evolution of life. There thus appear to be two-way interactions between life and the atmosphere. Man, just one species of living organism, has developed an unfortunate ability to interfere with the feedbacks that seem to have maintained the atmosphere to be supportive of surface life for more than 3.5 billion years. This book will help chemists to understand the background to the problems that arise from such interference. The structure of the book and the development of the subject deviate somewhat from those usually encountered. Important and recurring concepts are presented in outline first, before more detailed discussions of the atmospheric behaviour of specific chemical species. Examples of such themes are the sources and sinks of trace gases, and their budgets and lifetimes. That is, the emphasis is initially on the principles of the subject, with the finer points emerging at later points in the book, sometimes in several successive chapters. In this way, some of the core material gets repeated exposure, but in new ways and in new contexts. The book is written at a level that makes it accessible to undergraduate chemists, and in a manner that should make it interesting to them. However, the material presented forms a solid base for those who are extending their studies to a higher level, and it will also provide non-specialists with the background to an understanding of Man's several and varied threats to the atmosphere. Well-informed citizens can then better assess measures proposed to prevent or alleviate the potential damage, and policy makers more realistically formulate the necessary controls on a sound scientific foundation.

Chemistry of the Environment provides a basic level of chemical knowledge on the principles of environmental chemistry and a general understanding of environmental problems. Organized into 17 chapters, this book is developed from the notes for a course in “Chemistry of the Environment for juniors, seniors, and graduate students in Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The opening chapters of this book discuss the problems related to waste disposal and energy production and the principles of atmospheric circulation and photochemical reactions, with an emphasis on the effects of human activities on the atmosphere and climate. Considerable chapters are devoted to various industries, including petroleum chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, and nuclear chemistry, and the contributions of these industries to environmental problems. General topics on both natural and technological processes that impinge on the environment are explored. Other chapters discuss the principles of atmospheric photochemistry and the natural and artificial photochemical processes occurring in the biosphere. This book also examines the chemistry of some of the most important elements and how they relate to the properties of the environment and to biological effects. The concluding chapter provides insights into the nature, as well as the sources and the hazards of ionizing radiation in the environment, with particular emphasis on naturally occurring and artificial nuclear sources of ionizing radiation. This book is of great benefit to environmental chemists and researchers, biochemists, and elementary organic chemists.

This revised and updated study is about the atmosphere and humanity's influence on it. Following an analysis of the natural environment, it re-examines the sources of air pollution and its effects, including decline in health, damage to plants and animals, indoor pollution, and acid rain.

Understanding the composition and chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere is essential to global ecological and environmental policy making and research. Atmospheric changes as a result of both natural and anthropogenic activity have affected many of the Earth's natural systems throughout history, some more seriously than others, and such changes are ever more evident with increases in both global warming and extreme weather events. Atmospheric Chemistry considers in detail the physics and chemistry of our atmosphere, that gives rise to our weather systems and climate, soaks up our pollutants and protects us from solar UV radiation.The development of the complex chemistry occurring on Earth can be explained through application of basic principles of physical chemistry, as is discussed in this book. It is therefore accessible to intermediate and advanced undergraduates of chemistry, with an interdisciplinary approach relevant to meteorologists, oceanographers, and climatologists. It also provides an ideal opportunity to bring together many different aspects of physical chemistry and demonstrate their relevance to the world we live in.This book was written in conjunction with Astrochemistry: From the Big Bang to the Present Day, Claire Vallance (2017) World Scientific Publishing.