Since the Industrial Revolution the chemical composition of the atmosphere has changed at a rate unprecedented in recent history. Ozone depletion emerged as one of the most important environmental issues of the 20th century as evidence grew for substantial human influences on the atmospheric ozone abundances over much of the globe. The science of the ozone layer and its interactions with halogenated chemical compounds are the primary subjects of this book.
The volume provides a comprehensive view of the chemical, dynamical, and radiative processes that affect ozone and other chemicals in the stratosphere and mesosphere. Over recent decades our understanding of these processes has increased dramatically. The discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole has shown that human activities can lead to major changes in our environment.
From the contents:Preface.- The Middle Atmosphere and its Evolution.- Chemical Concepts in the Atmosphere.- Dynamics and Transport.- Radiation.- Composition and Chemistry.- Ozone Perturbations.- The Ions.- Appendices.- Figure acknowledgements.- Index.
Reviews of the Previous Edition: "Aeronomy of the Middle Atmosphere is an interesting and well-written overview of the current status of our knowledge of the composition of the middle atmosphere and the basic radiative, dynamical and photochemical processes which maintain it. I am not aware of another book which addresses the middle atmosphere from such a broad interdisciplinary perspective[!] Many atmospheric scientists will wish to add this book to their personal collections." (Bulletin American Meteorological Society) "[!]an important book at the right time. It is intended as an introduction to the field of middle atmosphere chemistry and physics and as a reference book for researchers in this area as well. There is no doubt that it can fulfil both tasks very well.[!] Rich and solid material is presented for the evaluation of thermal and photochemical effects of radiation.[!]outstanding and stimulating review[!] The authors themselves have made numerous important contributions to this development, a fact well reflected by the content and quality of their review." (Beitrage zur Physik der Atmosphare) From the reviews of the third edition: "The book provides an excellent introduction to the subject and a good summary of the state of knowledge ! . Most or all chapters have been carefully updated, and a major addition to the current edition is a more complete discussion of natural and anthropogenic ozone perturbations. It deserves to be on the shelf of any serious graduate student or researcher with an interest in atmospheric chemistry and physics. ! overall the book is a very important addition to the atmospheric literature." (Lon Hood, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, February, 2007)