Abstract
For many reasons it is desirable to have a complete knowledge of the composition of the atmosphere as regards both the molecular species present and their absolute quantities. This applies not only to the main components, but also to rare species of polyatomic molecules whose importance in the radiation balance is often quite out of proportion to their actual quantity. Any observed variation in the composition of air—with time, with geographical location, with height, with the seasons, or with meteorological conditions—seriously affects our conception of the processes in the atmosphere. It follows from this that the present article must lay its emphasis on facts in order to see where our knowledge is still inadequate.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Adel, A., “Concerning the Abundance of Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide.” Phys. Rev., 75: 1766–1767 (1949).
Aldrich, L. T., and Nier, A. C., “The Occurrence of 3He in Natural Sources of Helium.” Phys. Rev., 74: 1590–1594 (1948).
Anderson, E. C., and others, “Natural Radiocarbon from Cosmic Radiation.” Phys. Rev., 72: 931–936 (1947).
Brewer, A. W., “Evidence for a World Circulation Provided by the Measurements of Helium and Water Vapour Distribution in the Stratosphere.” Quart. J. R. meteor. Soc., 75: 351–363 (1949).
Callendar, G. S., “Variations of the Amount of Carbon Dioxide in Different Air Currents.” Quart. J. R. meteor. Soc., 66: 395–400 (1940).
Chackett, K. F., Paneth, F. A., and Wilson, E. J., “Chemical Analysis of Stratosphere Samples from 50 to 70 Km. Height.” J. atmos. terr. Phys., 1: 49–55 (1950).
Chalonge, D., Götz, F. W. P.,et Vassy, E., “Mesures simultanées de la teneur en ozone des basses couches de l’atmosphere à Jungfraujoch et à Lauterbrunnen.” C. R. Acad. Set., Paris, 198: 1442 (1934).
Coon, J. H., “Isotopic Abundance of 3He.” Phys. Rev., 75: 1355–1357 (1949).
Dole, M., and Slobod, R. L., “Isotopic Composition of Oxygen in Carbonate Rocks and Iron Oxide Ores.” J. Amer. chem. Soc., 62: 471–479 (1940).
Glueckauf, E., “The Ozone Content of Surface Air and Its Relation to Some Meteorological Conditions.” Quart. J. R. meteor. Soc., 70: 13–19 (1944).
Glueckauf, E., “ A Micro-analysis of the Helium and Neon Contents of Air.” Proc. roy. Soc., (A) 185: 98–119 (1946).
Glueckauf, E. and Paneth, F. A., “The Helium Content of Atmospheric Air.” Proc. roy. Soc., (A) 185: 89–98 (1946).
Götz, F. W. P., Schein, M., und Stoll, B., “Messungen des bodennahen Ozons in Zürich.” Beitr. Geophys., 45: 237–242 (1935).
Krogh, A., “ Abnormal Carbon Dioxide Percentage in the Air in Greenland….” Medd. Grønland, 26: 407–435 (1904).
Kuiper, G. P., ed., Atmospheres of the Earth and Planets. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1949. (See Chaps. 8, 9, 10, and 12.)
Paneth, F. A., “The Chemical Composition of the Atmosphere.” Quart. J. R. meteor. Soc., 63: 433–438 (1937).
Regener, E., “Ozonschicht und atmosphärische Turbulenz.” Meteor. Z., 60: 235–269 (1943).
Regnault, M. V., “Recherches sur la composition de l’airatmosphérique.” Ann. Chim. (Phys.), 3e sér., 36: 385–405 (1852).
Riesenfeld, E. H.,und Chang, T. L., “Die Vertellung der schweren Wasser Isotope auf der Erde.” Natur-wissenschaften, 24: 616–618 (1936).
Slobod, R. J., and Krogh, M. E., “Nitrous Oxide as a Constituent of the Atmosphere.” J. Amer. chem. Soc., 72: 1175–1177 (1950).
Suess, H., “Isotopen Austauch Gleichgewichte” in FIAT Rev. of German Sci., 1939–1946, Vol. 30, Physical Chemistry, pp. 19–24. Off. Milit. Govt. Germany, Field Inform. Agencies, Tech. Wiesbaden, 1948.
Usher, F. L., and Rao, B. S., “The Determination of Ozone and Oxides of Nitrogen in the Atmosphere.” J. chem. Soc., 111: 799–809 (1917).
Vinogradow, A. P., and Teis, R. V., “Isotopic Composition of Oxygen of Different Origins.” C. R. (Doklady) Acad. Sci. URSS, 33: 490–493 (1941).
Wildt, R., “The Geochemistry of the Atmosphere and the Constitution of the Terrestrial Planets.” Rev. mod. Phys., 14: 151–159 (1942).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1951 American Meteorological Society
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Glueckauf, E. (1951). The Composition of Atmospheric Air. In: Malone, T.F. (eds) Compendium of Meteorology. American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-940033-70-9_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-940033-70-9_1
Publisher Name: American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA
Online ISBN: 978-1-940033-70-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive