Skip to main content

How Atmospheric Pollution Affects Sunlight and Life

  • Chapter
Living with Our Sun’s Ultraviolet Rays
  • 73 Accesses

Abstract

As seen from a satellite, the atmosphere wraps around the earth like a gaseous membrane, thin in comparison to the earth’s diameter yet protective of life and constantly in flux because of natural processes and human activities. Since the Industrial Revolution we have dumped gaseous and fine particulate wastes into the air in even-increasing quantities without a thought. But, just like land and water, the atmosphere is finite. It can absorb only so much waste without losing its protective function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

For Additional Reading

  • Bartholic, J., ed. “Impacts of Climatic Change on the Biosphere. CIAP Monograph 5. Part 2. Climatic Effects.” Department of Transportation. Climatic Impact Assessment Program. Washington, D.C., 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Booker, H. C., ed. Environmental Impact of Stratospheric Flight. Biological and Climatic Effects of Aircraft Emissions in the Stratosphere. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broderick, A. J., and Hard, T. M., eds. Proceedings of the Third Conference on the Climatic Impact Assessment Program, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cadle, R. D., and Allen, E. R. “Atmospheric Photochemistry.” Science 167 (1970): 243–248.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cicerone, R. J., Stolarski, R. S., and Walters, S. “Stratospheric Ozone Destruction by Man-Made Chlorofluoromethanes.” Science 185 (1974): 1165–1166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cutchis, P. “Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and Solar Ultraviolet Radiation on Earth.” Science 184 (1974): 13–19.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delwiche, C. C. “The Nitrogen Cycle.” Scientific American 223 (Sept., 1970): 137–146.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dutsch, H. U. “Photochemistry of Atmospheric Ozone.”Advanced Geophysics 15 (1971): 219–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giese, A. C, and Christensen, E. “Effects of Ozone on Organisms.” Physiological Zoology 27 (1954): 101–115.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, J. R. “Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health.” In Air Pollution vol. 2, 2nd ed., edited by A. C. Stern. New York: Academic Press, 1968, pp. 547–615.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, A. L., and Maugh, T. H. II. “Stratospheric Pollution: Multiple Threats to Earth’s Ozone.” Science 186 (1974): 335–338.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hampson, J. “Photochemical War on the Atmosphere.” Nature 250 (1974): 181–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Handler, P. ed. “Long-term Worldwide Effects of Multiple Nuclear-weapons Detonations.” National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbs, P. V., Harrison, H., and Robinson, E. “Atmospheric Effects of Pollutants.” Science 183 (1974): 909–915.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, F. S. “SST, Ozone and Skin Cancer.” Astronautics and Aeronautics, July, 1973: 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, H. “Reduction of Stratospheric Ozone by Nitrogen Oxide Catalysts from Supersonic Transport Exhaust.” Science 173 (1971): 517–522.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, H.;. “Newly Recognized Vital Nitrogen Cycle.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, U.S.A. 69 (1972): 2369–2372.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leighton, P. A. Photochemistry of Air Pollution. New York: Academic Press, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnell, G., Ferguson, D. M., and Pearson, C. R. “Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and the Environment.” Endeavour 34 (1975): 13–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Molina, M. J., and Rowland, F. S., “Stratospheric Sink for Chlorofluoromethanes. Chlorine Atom-Catalyzed Destruction of Ozone.” Nature 249 (1961): 810–812.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. N. “Fog.” Scientific American 219 (Dec, 1968): 75–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nachtwey, D.S., ed. “Impacts of Climatic Change on the Biosphere. CIAP Monograph 5. Part 1. Ultraviolet Effects.” Department of Transportation. Climatic Impact Assessment Program. Washington, D.C., 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, H. Selected Bibliography on Ozone, Its Biological Effects and Technical Applications. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Technical Report #456, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, K. C. Biological Impacts of Increased Intensities of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, and National Academy of Engineering, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stockinger, H. E., and Coffin, D. E. “Biologic Effects of Air Pollutants.” In Air Pollution, vol. 1. 2nd ed., edited by A. C. Stern. New York: Academic Press, 1968, pp. 445–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Went, F. W. “Air Pollution.” Scientific American 192 (May, 1955): 63–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkness, P. E., Swinnerton, J. W., Lamontagne, R. A., and Brissan, D. J. “Trichlorofluoromethane in the Troposphere, Distribution and Increase, 1971 to 1974.” Science 187 (1975): 832–834.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Woofsy, S. C., McElroy, M. B., and Sze, N. D. “Freon Consumption: Implications for Atmospheric Ozone. Science 187 (1975): 535–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1976 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Giese, A.C. (1976). How Atmospheric Pollution Affects Sunlight and Life. In: Living with Our Sun’s Ultraviolet Rays. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8744-6_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8744-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-8746-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-8744-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics