The Elements on Earth

The Elements on Earth
Author: P. A. Cox
Publisher:
Total Pages: 308
Release: 1995
Genre: Science
ISBN:

This book illustrates our understanding of the natural world via findings of studies in geochemistry, biochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, and other areas, in the context of the general chemistry of the elements. It is divided into two parts: the first provides an account of the Earth - its physics and chemistry, its structure and dynamics - emphasizing the varied roles played by the elements in combination with one another. It demonstrates how elemental chemical behavior dictates both their own environmental significance and the nature of our environment. The second part considers the elements in alphabetical order, and provides a comprehensive reference resource in its own right. Fully cross-referenced, this book is clear, precise, and will have wide appeal as either a supplementary text to an undergraduate inorganic and environmental chemistry course, as well as an essential resource for all those interested in the scientific study of the environment.

The Future of Atmospheric Chemistry Research

The Future of Atmospheric Chemistry Research
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2017-01-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309445655

Our world is changing at an accelerating rate. The global human population has grown from 6.1 billion to 7.1 billion in the last 15 years and is projected to reach 11.2 billion by the end of the century. The distribution of humans across the globe has also shifted, with more than 50 percent of the global population now living in urban areas, compared to 29 percent in 1950. Along with these trends, increasing energy demands, expanding industrial activities, and intensification of agricultural activities worldwide have in turn led to changes in emissions that have altered the composition of the atmosphere. These changes have led to major challenges for society, including deleterious impacts on climate, human and ecosystem health. Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing society today. Air pollution is a major threat to human health, as one out of eight deaths globally is caused by air pollution. And, future food production and global food security are vulnerable to both global change and air pollution. Atmospheric chemistry research is a key part of understanding and responding to these challenges. The Future of Atmospheric Chemistry Research: Remembering Yesterday, Understanding Today, Anticipating Tomorrow summarizes the rationale and need for supporting a comprehensive U.S. research program in atmospheric chemistry; comments on the broad trends in laboratory, field, satellite, and modeling studies of atmospheric chemistry; determines the priority areas of research for advancing the basic science of atmospheric chemistry; and identifies the highest priority needs for improvements in the research infrastructure to address those priority research topics. This report describes the scientific advances over the past decade in six core areas of atmospheric chemistry: emissions, chemical transformation, oxidants, atmospheric dynamics and circulation, aerosol particles and clouds, and biogeochemical cycles and deposition. This material was developed for the NSF's Atmospheric Chemistry Program; however, the findings will be of interest to other agencies and programs that support atmospheric chemistry research.

The Earth as a Cradle for Life

The Earth as a Cradle for Life
Author: Frank D. Stacey
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2013
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9814508349

This book takes a long-term view of Earth's development as a habitable planet, incorporating physical, chemical and biological processes on the early Earth, through to human perturbations of the modern world and their implications for life in the future.