Summary
This new volume in Dangerous Weather presents the basic facts about fog, smog, and poisoned rain. In regions where these phenomena occur, the health of humans, animals, plants, bodies of water, and soil can be harmed. Even many building materials, including wood and metals, can be adversely affected. Several human and non-human processes contribute to the pollution in the atmosphere that can make these weather events dangerous, including forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and burning fossil fuels. Pollutants released by these processes can stay in the air for days, sometimes traveling thousands of miles. While the elderly, young children, and those with heart or lung disease are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of these types of weather, healthy adults are also at risk.
Fog, Smog & Poisoned Rain deals with air pollution and its consequences. Beginning with a definition of the problem, it then examines the causes of particular types of pollution and the way the pollution is disseminated; the geographic distribution of the phenomenon; and historical records. The book closes with a look into the future and a discussion of the ways in which air pollution can be reduced. In addition to pollution resulting from human activities, the book also describes “natural pollution” from volcanic eruptions, lake beds, and gaseous emissions from plants and trees.
Coverage includes:
WATER IN THE AIR
- Air masses and fronts in summer and winter
- Evaporation and condensation
- Adiabatic cooling and warming
- Types of fog
- Cloud types and cloud classification.
FIRES, CARS, SMOGS, AND FOGS
- What happens when fuel burns
- What is a flame?
- What are fossil fuels?
- Vehicle exhausts
- Oil refining.
OZONE AND ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
- Spray cans and the ozone layer
- What is ozone?
- Structure of the atmosphere.
ACID IN THE AIR
- Acid rain, acid snow, acid mist, and acid air
- Effects of acid on soils, forests, and lakes.