Chemical Events in the Atmosphere and Their Impact on the Environment: Proceedings of a Study Week at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, November 7-11, 1983 (Studies in Environmental Science, 26)

This book covers the proceedings of a study week held to bring together the most varied experiences in the many disciplines which form the background of ecology. The purpose of the meeting was to examine the present state of knowledge and the need for research in order to gather the information necessary for action to protect the environment and biosphere. Many aspects of the anthropogenic effects on the atmosphere have been studied. However more research is needed to quantify the impact of the various chemicals on the changes occurring in the atmosphere. Acid rain formation mechanisms, although investigated, are not yet fully understood. It is thus necessary to program carefully our future, after further interdisciplinary research, in order to avoid irreversible damage to our environment. The guidelines of this action, as a result of the presentations and discussions, are reported in the conclusions. The main points stressed are : tropospheric chemistry, the problem of the conservation of the ozone layer, the growth of carbon dioxide and climate changes, atmospheric acidity, the effects of changes on water, soils and biota as well as the particular problems of the tropical world. The book will be ideal for postgraduates studying atmospheric chemistry and for environmental protection agencies.--[Source inconnue] Content: Edited by Pages II-III Copyright page Page IV Foreword Pages XIII-XIV Carlos Chagas List of Participants Pages XVI-XIX Pontifical Audience Page XXI Chemical Events in the Atmosphere and Their Impact on the Environment: Introductory Remarks Pages 3-4 G.B. Marini-Bettòlo Photochemical Reactions in the Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 7-24 D. Phillips Quantum-Mechanical Studies on the Binding Properties of Small Atmosphere Molecules Original Research Article Pages 25-43,45-50 Alberte Pullman The Young Sun, The Early Earth and the Photochemistry of Oxygen, Ozone and Formaldehyde in the Early Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 51-97,99-102 V.M. Canuto, J.S. Levine, C.L. Imhoff, I. Goldman, T.R. Augustsson, O. Hubickyj Atmospheric Ions Original Research Article Pages 103-133,135-142 F. Arnold Oxygen Cycle in the Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 143-171,173-177 John R. Wiesenfeld The Global Sulfur Budget Pages 179-201 Cyrill Brosset Laboratory Studies of Atmospheric Radical Reactions Original Research Article Pages 203-223 Carleton J. Howard The Photochemistry of Tropospheric Trace Species: The Central Role of Radicals and Their Possible Variability Original Research Article Pages 227-253,255-260 W.L. Chameides, D.D. Davis Perturbations of the Atmosphere and of the Climate System Induced by Volcanic Eruptions: Relevance of Some Specific Processes Original Research Article Pages 261-280 Giorgio Fiocco Natural and Anthropogenic Aerosols: A Comparative Analysis Original Research Article Pages 281-303 K.Ya. Kondratyev, V.A. Ivanov, D.V. Pozdnyakov, M.A. Prokofyev Increasing Concentrations of Perhalocarbons, Methylchloroform and Methane in the Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 305-339 F.S. Rowland, D.R. Blake, S.C. Tyler, Y. Makide Role and Fate of Ozone in the Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 341-387 James G. Anderson Toward A Better Understanding of Atmospheric Chemistry Original Research Article Pages 391-399,401-404 Thomas F. Malone Carbon Dioxide and Other Greenhouse Gases in Ocean, Atmosphere, and Biosphere, and Future Climatic Impacts Original Research Article Pages 405-428 Roger Revelle Carbon Dioxide and Environment Original Research Article Pages 429-441,443-456 F. Kenneth Hare Atmospheric Conditions After a Nuclear War Original Research Article Pages 457-506 Paul J. Crutzen, Ian E. Galbally Atmospheric Acidity Original Research Article Pages 507-531,533-536 A. Liberti Effects on Soils of Chemical Events in the Atmosphere Original Research Article Pages 537-550 J. Låg Effects of Chemical Air Pollution on Forests and Other Vegetation Original Research Article Pages 553-606 Wilhelm Knabe Chemical Reactions in the Atmosphere and Their Impact on Human Health and Animal Life Original Research Article Pages 607-617,619-621 G.B. Marini-Bettòlo The Water Cycle in Tropical Forests, with Special Reference to the Amazon Original Research Article Pages 623-648 Eneas Salati, Peter B. Vose Effects of Chemical Events on Environment in Africa Original Research Article Pages 649-673 Shem O. Wandiga Final Considerations and Conclusions Pages 677-689 Subject Index Pages 691,693-697 Author Index Pages 699,701-702 This book covers the proceedings of a study week held to bring together the most varied experiences in the many disciplines which form the background of ecology. The purpose of the meeting was to examine the present state of knowledge and the need for research in order to gather the information necessary for action to protect the environment and biosphere. Many aspects of the anthropogenic effects on the atmosphere have been studied. However more research is needed to quantify the impact of the various chemicals on the changes occurring in the atmosphere. Acid rain formation mechanisms, although investigated, are not yet fully understood. It is thus necessary to program carefully our future, after further interdisciplinary research, in order to avoid irreversible damage to our environment.

The guidelines of this action, as a result of the presentations and discussions, are reported in the conclusions. The main points stressed are: tropospheric chemistry, the problem of the conservation of the ozone layer, the growth of carbon dioxide and climate changes, atmospheric acidity, the effects of changes on water, soils and biota as well as the particular problems of the tropical world. The book will be ideal for postgraduates studying atmospheric chemistry and for environmental protection agencies.