Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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 a review of a previous edition -

"[...] 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."
(Bulletin American Meteorological Society)

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. ix)
• 1 The Middle Atmosphere and Its Evolution (p. 1)
• 1.1 Introduction (p. 1)
• 1.2 Evolution of the Earth's Atmosphere (p. 2)
• 1.3 Anthropogenic Perturbations (p. 4)
• 2 Chemical Concepts in the Atmosphere (p. 11)
• 2.1 Introduction (p. 11)
• 2.2 Energy Levels of Molecules (p. 12)
• 2.3 Thermodynamic Considerations (p. 21)
• 2.4 Elementary Chemical Kinetics (p. 24)
• 2.5 Heterogenous and Multiphase Reactions (p. 34)
• 2.6 Photolysis Processes (p. 40)
• 2.7 Excited Species in the Middle Atmosphere (p. 44)
• 3 Dynamics and Transport (p. 51)
• 3.1 Introduction (p. 51)
• 3.2 Structure of the Atmosphere and Some Observed Dynamical Characteristics (p. 53)
• 3.3 Fundamental Description of Atmospheric Dynamics (p. 59)
• 3.4 Atmospheric Waves (p. 74)
• 3.5 Effects of Dynamics on Chemical Species: Transport (p. 84)
• 3.6 Dynamics and Meridional Transport in Two Dimensions: A Conceptual View (p. 92)
• 3.7 The Importance of Wave Transience and Dissipation (p. 112)
• 3.8 Vertical Transport above the Mesopause (p. 125)
• 3.9 Models of the Middle Atmosphere (p. 129)
• 4 Radiation (p. 151)
• 4.1 Introduction (p. 151)
• 4.2 Definitions (p. 156)
• 4.3 Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation (p. 159)
• 4.4 The Attenuation of Solar Radiation in the Atmosphere (p. 169)
• 4.5 Radiative Transfer (p. 180)
• 4.6 The Thermal Effects of Radiation (p. 206)
• 4.7 Photochemical Effects of Radiation (p. 218)
• 5 Composition and Chemistry (p. 265)
• 5.1 General (p. 265)
• 5.2 Oxygen Compounds (p. 271)
• 5.3 Carbon Compounds (p. 292)
• 5.4 Hydrogen Compounds (p. 307)
• 5.5 Nitrogen Compounds (p. 327)
• 5.6 Halogen Compounds (p. 358)
• 5.7 Stratospheric Aerosols and Clouds (p. 386)
• 5.8 Generalized Ozone Balance (p. 401)
• 6 Ozone Perturbations (p. 443)
• 6.1 Introduction (p. 443)
• 6.2 The Photochemically-Controlled Upper Stratosphere and Mesosphere: 25-75 km (p. 444)
• 6.3 Lower Stratospheric Ozone Depletion: Observations and Explanations (p. 459)
• 6.4 Summary and Outlook (p. 501)
• 7 The Ions (p. 533)
• 7.1 Introduction (p. 533)
• 7.2 Formation of Ions in the Middle Atmosphere (p. 539)
• 7.3 Positive Ion Chemistry (p. 552)
• 7.4 Negative Ion Chemistry (p. 570)
• 7.5 Effect of Ionic Processes on Neutral Constitutents (p. 581)
• 7.6 Radio Waves in the Lower Ionosphere (p. 586)
• Appendices (p. 599)
• Appendix 1 Physical Constants and Other Data (p. 599)
• Appendix 2 Conversion Factors and Multiplying Prefixes (p. 603)
• Appendix 3 Rate Coefficients for Second-Order Gas-Phase Reactions (p. 607)
• Appendix 4 Rate Coefficients for Gas-Phase Associating Reactions (p. 611)
• Appendix 5 Surface Reaction Probability (p. 613)
• Appendix 6 Atmospheric Profiles (p. 615)
• Figure Acknowledgements (p. 625)
• Color Section (p. 627)
• Index (p. 637)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

(Bowker Author Biography)