Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere and Ocean (Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series)

This text provides a foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of radiative transfer, for advanced students of atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences. The transfer of solar and infrared radiation through optically-thick clouds, aerosol layer, and the oceanic mixed layer is presented through the use of heuristic models of scattering and absorption, and a systematic approach to formulation and solution of the radiative transfer equation. Problems such as the the transmission of ultraviolet radiation through the atmosphere and ocean, remote sensing, solar heating and infrared cooling processes, UV biological dose rates, and Greenhouse warming are solved using a variety of methods. This self-contained, systematic treatment will prepare students from a range of disciplines in problems concerning the effects of solar and infrared radiation on natural systems. The hardback edition received excellent reviews. "Radiative transfer is important to a range of disciplines, from the study of greenhouse warming to stellar atmospheres and ocean optics. This text provides a foundation of the theoretical and practical aspects of radiative transfer for senior undergraduate and graduate students of atmospheric, oceanic, and environmental sciences. With an emphasis on formulation, judicial approximations and numerical solutions of the radiative transfer equation, Radiative Transfer in the Atmosphere and Ocean fills a gap between descriptive texts covering the physical processes and the practical numerical approaches needed in research."--Jacket This chapter presents a brief overview of the spectra of the shortwave solar and longwave terrestrial radiation fields and the basic structure of atmospheres and oceans.