Tropospheric Chemistry

Atmospheric chemistry is one of the fastest growing fields in the earth sciences. Until now, however, there has been no book designed to help students capture the essence of the subject in a brief course of study. Daniel Jacob, a leading researcher and teacher in the field, addresses that problem by presenting the first textbook on atmospheric chemistry for a one-semester course. Based on the approach he developed in his class at Harvard, Jacob introduces students in clear and concise chapters to the fundamentals as well as the latest ideas and findings in the field. Jacob's aim is to show students how to use basic principles of physics and chemistry to describe a complex system such as the atmosphere. He also seeks to give students an overview of the current state of research and the work that led to this point. Jacob begins with atmospheric structure, design of simple models, atmospheric transport, and the continuity equation, and continues with geochemical cycles, the greenhouse effect, aerosols, stratospheric ozone, the oxidizing power of the atmosphere, smog, and acid rain. Each chapter concludes with a problem set based on recent scientific literature. This is a novel approach to problem-set writing, and one that successfully introduces students to the prevailing issues. This is a major contribution to a growing area of study and will be welcomed enthusiastically by students and teachers alike.

In a giant step toward managing today's pollution problems more effectively, this report lays out a framework to coordinate an interdisciplinary and international investigation of the chemical composition and cycles of the troposphere. The approach includes geographical surveys, field measurements, the development of appropriate models, and improved instrumentation.

The Arctic troposphere (0 to ca. 8 km) plays an important role in environmental concerns for global change. It is a unique chemical reactor influenced by human activity and the Arctic ocean. It is surrounded by industrialized continents that in winter contribute gaseous and particulate pollution (Arctic haze). It is underlain by the flat Arctic ocean from which it is separated by a crack-ridden ice membrane 3 to 4 m thick. Ocean to atmosphere exchange of heat, water vapor and marine biogenic gases influence the composition of the reactor. From September 21 to December 21 to March 21, the region north of the Arctic circle goes from a completely sunlit situation to a completely dark one and then back to light. At the same time the lower troposphere is stably stratified. This hinders vertical mixing. During this light period, surface temperature reaches as low as -40°C. In this environment, chemical reactions involving sunlight are generally much slower than further south. Thus, the abundance of photochemically reactive compounds in the atmosphere can be high prior to polar sunrise. Between complete dark in February and complete light in April, a number of chemical changes in the lower troposphere take place.

Summarizes and integrates more than a decade of atmospheric chemistry research, carried out under the auspices of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP).

Oxidation and removal of atmospheric constituents involve complex sequences of reactions which can lead to the production of photo-oxidants such as ozone. In order to understand and model these complex reaction sequences, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of reaction mechanisms and accurate estimates of kinetic parameters for relevant gas-phase atmospheric reactions. This book presents recent advances in the field and includes the following topics: e.g. the oxidation of simple organic compounds, NOx kinetics and mechanisms, OH radical production and rate constants for the OH attack on more complex organic compounds, peroxy and alkoxy radical reactions, photo-oxidation of aromatic and biogenic compounds, and the interaction between radical species.

It is now possible to determine concentrations of trace constituents and pollutants in the lower atmosphere from space, a development which heralds a new era for tropospheric chemistry. The authors describe how to develop and validate methods for determining tropospheric trace constituents from satellite data, to encourage the use of these data by atmospheric chemists, and to explore the undoubted synergism which will develop between satellite and ground-based measurements, and will eventually give rise to a permanent observation system for the troposphere. The book comprises several comprehensive overviews, prepared by acknowledged experts in the field, together with a series of individual reports from investigators whose work represents the cutting edge of the subject. A variety of results, giving global distributions of several species and their modelling are reported. Most results stem from ESA satellite data, but there is also an account of the North American work in this field which has mainly concentrated on global distributions of ozone. It is fair to say that the field, as it develops, will revolutionize the way in which atmospheric chemistry is done. This timely book provides a good introduction for anyone with an interest in the future of the troposphere.

The formation, transport and impact of photo-oxidants, e.g., ozone, is a major environmental problem in densely populated areas with corresponding high emissions of ozone precursor substances such as NOx and volatile organic carbon compounds (VOC). Although major progress has been achieved within the last decade, there are still significant uncertainties in our understanding of the chemical behavior of the polluted atmosphere, in particular the interaction between cities and surrounding areas as well as the contribution of pollution to the global changes, e.g., the oxidation capacity of the troposphere. This book focuses on specific issues related to the chemistry of polluted atmospheres. The main issues cover areas such as modelling, emission inventories, chemical transformation as well as transport of pollutants on an urban/regional scale. The overall topic of the book is addressed in an interdisciplinary approach. The book is of specific interest for advanced researchers in tropospheric chemistry, from the PhD or post-doctoral levels and beyond.

Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry is a concise, clear review of the fundamental aspects of atmospheric chemistry. In ten succinct chapters, it reviews our basic understanding of the chemistry of the Earth s atmosphere and discusses current environmental issues, including air pollution, acid rain, the ozone hole, and global change. Written by a well-known atmospheric science teacher, researcher, and author of several established textbooks, this book is an introductory textbook for beginning university courses in atmospheric chemistry. Also suitable for self instruction, numerous exercises and solutions make this textbook accessible to students covering atmospheric chemistry as a part of courses in atmospheric science, meteorology, environmental science, geophysics and chemistry. Together with its companion volume, Basic Physical Chemistry for the Atmospheric Sciences (second edition 2000; Cambridge University Press), Introduction to Atmospheric Chemistry provides a solid introduction to atmospheric chemistry.