Environmental Science

Aimed at a first course in environmental physics, environmentalscience, environmental analysis, or environmental monitoring. Thistext can be used by first year students and above, and takes ascientific approach as opposed to a social or political one.Mathematics is kept to a minimum, although some background (school)knowledge of science is assumed. Courses would be taught inphysics, environmental science and physical sciencedepartments. Comprehensively covering the field, this book brings together thelatest developments, theories, research and concerns, from both thescientific and social sides. Placing the environment firmly at thecentre of the scientific agenda, it provides all the backgroundneeded by readers to fully understand this important and often'hype-driven' subject. Whilst mathematics is introduced wherenecessary, it is carefully explained and kept simple, withderivations generally being avoided. Wherever possible, topics ofcurrent concern and relevance are included, and many examples,features and appetisers or mini-case studies are included,frequently drawn from publications such as New Scientist, Nature,Science, Physics Today and Scientific American. The book startswith a general overview of the subject, and then moves on to coverclimate, energy, pollutants, noise, measurements and socialaspects.

Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: A Physical Approach to Environmental Problems What are Environmental Problems - Pollution The Economic and Social Context Sunlight and the Solar Spectrum The Greenhouse Effect Transport of Pollutants The Carbon Cycle 2. Weather and Climate Energy Transport The Atmsophere, Vertical Structure and Motion Horizontal Motion of Air The Oceans 3. Climate Change Natural Changes of Climate Human induced changes Consequences of Climate Change Reactions to Climate Change 4. Conventional Energy Physics of Heat Heat and Power: Thermodynamics Converting Heat into Power: Problems and 'Solutions' 5. Carbonfree Energies Renewable energies Nuclear Power 6. Making up the Balance Greenhouse Gases, Pollution and Resources Defining the task 7. Transport of Pollutants Basic Concepts Dispersion in the Air Dispersion in Surface Waters Dispersion by Groundwater 8. Noise Physics of Sound Human hearing Reducing Sound Levels 9. Environmental Spectroscopy Basic Spectrospcopy The Solar Spectrum at Ground Level Experimental Techniques in Environmental Spectroscopy Solar UV, Ozone and Life 10. Geophysical Methods Radioactive Clocks Isotope Ratios as Environmental Sensors Magnetic Surveys Seismic Probing 11. Science and Society Finite Resources of Energy Pollution and Health Effects Environmental Policy Thinijhng about the Environment and Human Life The Responsibility of the Scientist Appendices References Index