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Books > Earth & environment > Earth sciences > Meteorology > General
Atmospheric and climatological studies are becoming more and more
important in day-to-day living. Winds and ocean current owe their
existence to the thermodynamic imbalances that arise from the
differential heating of the Earth and air by the sun. Accounting
for heat exchanges with the atmosphere and ocean is essential in
any predictive model of the ocean and/or atmosphere. Thermodynamic
feedback processes in the atmosphere and ocean are critical to
understanding the overall stability of the Earth's climate and
climate change. Water and its phase changes make the thermodynamics
of the atmosphere and ocean uniquely interesting and
challenging.
This textbook develops a fundamental understanding of geophysical fluid dynamics by providing a mathematical description of fluid properties, kinematics and dynamics as influenced by earth's rotation. Its didactic value is based on elaborate treatment of basic principles, derived equations, exemplary solutions and their interpretation. Both starting graduate students and experienced scientists can closely follow the mathematical development of the basic theory applied to the flow of uniform density fluids on a rotating earth, with (1) basic physics introducing the "novel" effects of rotation for flows on planetary scales, (2) simplified dynamics of shallow water and quasi-geostrophic theories applied to a variety of steady, unsteady flows and geophysical wave motions, demonstrating the restoring effects of Coriolis acceleration, earth's curvature (beta) and topographic steering, (3) conservation of vorticity and energy at geophysical scales, and (4) specific applications to help demonstrate the ability to create and solve new problems in this very rich field. A comprehensive review of the complex geophysical flows of the ocean and the atmosphere is closely knitted with this basic description, intended to be developed further in the second volume that addresses density stratified geophysical fluid dynamics.
Global climate change has emerged as one of today's most challenging and controversial policy issues. In this significant new contribution, a roster of premier scholars examines economic and social aspects of that far-reaching phenomenon. Although the 1997 "summit" in Kyoto focused world attention on climate, it was just one step in an ongoing process. Research by the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been ongoing since 1988. An extensive IPCC Working Group report published in 1995 examined the economic and social aspects of climate change. In this new volume, eminent economists assess that IPCC report and address the questions that emerge. The result is a reasoned, cogent look at the realities of climate change and some methods (and difficulties) of dealing with them. William Nordhaus's introduction establishes the context for this book. It provides basic scientific background, reviews the IPCC's activities, and explains the genesis of the project. Subsequent contributions fall into two categories. Early chapters review analytical issues critical to social and economic understanding of climate change. For example, Granger Morgan looks at how typical decisionmaking frameworks relate to this topic. Other chapters in this section discuss discounting and intergenerational equity, the possible role of cost-benefit analysis, and the institutional architecture needed to address the problem effectively. A second set of chapters address specific economic questions surrounding climate-change policy. For example, John Weyant and Tom Kram look at the costs of slowing climate change. Weyant agrees with the IPCC that the economic cost is high, relative to othereconomic and environmental policies. There is tremendous uncertainty in these estimates, however, and different approaches to modeling -- economic, engineering, and social-psychological -- yield very different interpretations and prognoses. In another chapter, Robert Mendelsohn examines the costs of not slowing climate change. What impacts can we expect, how might they vary among different nations and regions, and how likely are we to encounter catastrophic results?
'Dynamic Meteorology: A Basic Course' is an introduction to the physics of the atmosphere. Starting from the basics, it provides students with an awareness of simple mathematics and enthusiastically proceeds to provide a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of meteorology. The authors lead students to a scientifically rigorous understanding of the behaviour of weather systems such as highs, lows, fronts, jet streams and tropical cyclones. From the 'ABC' of the laws of Avogrado, Boyle and Charles to the powerful omega equation and beyond, this is a simple exposition of dynamic meteorology. Why does the wind blow along the lines of isobars rather than across them? Why are low pressure systems on the weather map more intense than high-pressure systems? Why is there much less constraint on the strength of the wind around a cyclone than an anticyclone? An international team of academic experts in meteorology answer these and many other fundamental questions with simple mathematical equations. Covering both northern and southern hemispheres, 'Dynamic Meteorology' equips students of earth and environmental sciences with proper understanding of the essential mathematics necessary to unlock the mysteries of the natural world.
These proceedings record the results of climate change in many areas which are hyper-arid deserts today but which, almost cyclically, at intervals of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years, have had a much more humid climate.
Global climate and the effects of global warming are commanding unprecendented interest as climates grow more dynamic and changeable. How does global warming change patterns of climate? Why is the weather and climate of the British Isles so variable? Regional Climates of the British Isles presents a comprehensive survey of the diverse climate of the British Isles. Examining the ways in which regional climates evolve from the interplay of meteorological conditions and geography of the British Isles, leading climatologists provide detailed explanations of the climatic characteristics of 11 regions of the British Isles. Climatic distinctiveness and local weather contrasts are described for each region, together with a summary of climatic data from 1961 to the present. Reviewing the history and causes of climatic change and evaluating regional models, Regional Climates of the British Isles offers an analysis of climatic variations. Examining future climatic change and its likely consequences, the authors acknowledge the need for regionally diverse responses to the greenhouse effect.
This book is a collection of papers presented in the 30th International Geological Congress, held in Beijing, on structure of the lithosphere and deep processes. The papers deal with topics on the measurement of P-wave velocities in rocks, and elastic properties of crust and upper mantle.
This volume presents the results on contemporary geodynamic model, crustal stress field, active faults, folds and volcanoes. It discusses the tectonophysical environments of earthquake generation and the methodology of earthquake prediction.
This updated and expanded second edition of a much lauded work provides a current overview of the impacts of climate change on tropical forests. The authors also investigate past, present and future climatic influences on the ecosystems with the highest biodiversity on the planet. Tropical Rainforest Responses to Climatic Change, Second Edition, looks at how tropical rain forest ecology is altered by climate change, rather than simply seeing how plant communities were altered. Shifting the emphasis on to ecological processes, e.g. how diversity is structured by climate and the subsequent impact on tropical forest ecology, provides the reader with a more comprehensive coverage. A major theme of the book is the interaction between humans, climate and forest ecology. The authors, all foremost experts in their fields, explore the long term occupation of tropical systems, the influence of fire and the future climatic effects of deforestation, together with anthropogenic emissions. Incorporating modelling of past and future systems paves the way for a discussion of conservation from a climatic perspective, rather than the usual plea to stop logging. This second edition provides an updated text in this rapidly evolving field. The existing chapters are revised and updated and two entirely new chapters deal with Central America and the effect of fire on wet forest systems. In the first new chapter, the paleoclimate and ecological record from Central America (Lozano, Correa, Bush) is discussed, while the other deals with the impact of fire on tropical ecosystems. It is hoped that Jonathon Overpeck, who has been centrally involved in the 2007 and 2010 IPCC reports, will provide a Foreword to the book.
A comprehensive and unique account of the creation of artificially
ionized layers in the middle and upper atmosphere, using powerful
radio waves. Major physical mechanisms associated with the
formation of the ionized region are studied in detail. The main
part of the author's research is devoted to problems associated
with the breakdown mechanisms for radio frequency discharges in
air. A special chapter deals with breakdown in intersecting pulsed
beams and the effects of recombination, diffusion and atmospheric
winds on the stability of the structure. The kinetics of the plasma
produced are also described.
This volume sheds light on urban resilience strategies in times of climate emergency and social and economic crisis by reflecting on related social vulnerabilities and inequalities within cities and showing the potential of participatory governance approaches for socio-environmental transformation. The book compiles critical research documenting the articulation of urban resilience strategies dealing with climatic changes, as well as the understanding of the unexpected implications of top-down resilience plans to address the impacts of climate change in cities, especially on the most vulnerable urban populations, and the transformative capacities of bottom-up and socially innovative resilience strategies. The book especially focuses on co-produced and grassroots transformative processes that are concerned with social equity in urban planning for climate change. Although several publications cover the topic of urban resilience, this book provides a more nuanced exploration of urban climate governance and citizen engagement in urban climate resilience policies through the lenses of political ecology, environmental justice and co-production. In this regard, the volume moves beyond the approach of multilevel urban climate governance by critically addressing the unexpected impacts of top-down strategies of urban resilience with the goal of expanding the reflection on citizen engagement. The book also explores the emerging possibilities behind the co-production of urban resilience as well as the critical role of grassroots and citizens in promoting such alternative strategies. While the primary target audience is scholars from different disciplines (e.g. geography, urban studies, planning, political ecology, architecture, urban sociology, environmental studies) focusing on urban resilience, the editors also aim to reach urban resilience practitioners from local, national and international organisations as well as environmental grassroots and climate activists.
This volume is a collection of lectures given at the two colloquia on atmospheric flows over complex terrain with applications to wind energy and air pollution, organized and sponsored by ICTP in Trieste, Italy. The colloquia were the result of the recognition of the importance of renewable energy sources, an important aspect which grows yearly as the environmental problems become more pronounced and their effects more direct and intense, while at the same time, the wise management of the Earth's evidently limited resources becomes imperative.It is divided into two main parts. The first, which comprises Chaps. 1 to 4, presents the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer with emphasis in the region adjacent to the ground. The second, Chaps. 5 to 10, discusses methods for the numerical computation of the wind field on an arbitrary terrain. The unique feature of this book is that it does not stop at the theoretical exposition of the analytical and numerical techniques but includes a number of codes, in a diskette, where the mechanisms and techniques presented in the main part are implemented and can be run by the reader. Some of the codes are of instructional value while others can be utilized for simple operational work.Some of the lecturers are: D N Asimakopoulos, C I Aspliden, V R Barros, A K Blackadar, G A Dalu, A de Baas, D Etling, G Furlan, D P Lalas, P J Mason, C F Ratto and F B Smith.
Interest in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as air pollutants has increased dramatically in recent years. This book covers a number of very topical issues concerning VOCs, including stratospheric ozone depletion due to CFCs, and the properties of alternative substances; the role of VOCs in the photochemical formation of lower atmosphere (tropospheric) ozone; and the problem of the direct toxicity of VOCs such as benzene and formaldehyde. This Issue reviews our current knowledge of VOCs, drawing upon the expertise of renowned experts and major national and international research programmes. It examines man-made and natural sources, as well as pathways and chemical reactions in the atmosphere. It also looks closely at the sources and concentrations of VOCs indoors, where humans are most likely to be exposed to them. Volatile Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere describes techniques used for the calculation of emissions inventories and strategies for control, and explores the many Government policy matters relating to VOCs. It provides readers with in-depth, clearly explained coverage of the many complex scientific and policy issues surrounding VOCs in the atmosphere.
"The Atlas of Climate Change-Based on SEAP-CMIP5" is intended to satisfy readers' curiosity: how will our climate system change over the next 100 years? It is the first showcase for the state-of -the-art earth system models that released their CMIP5 simulations for the IPCC AR5.The atlas focuses on both the past climate system change from 1850 and the projection of the future climate system change to 2100 using the RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios based on climate models. This provides the research and application community interested in the impact of climate change on fields such as agriculture, ecosystem, environment,water resources, energy, health, economy, risk governance and international negotiation, etc. with the newest climate change projection information. Additionally, the atlas will show the historical responsibility of the developed/developing countries and possible contributions to the mitigation of climate change according to their pledge of GHG emission reduction after the Cancun Agreement as an extension numerical experiment to CMIP5 with NCAR's CESM1.0. The authors will update this atlas after future releases of CMIP5 model outputs and update the figures in the second edition of the atlas in 2012-2013. Both Prof. Wenjie Dong and Yan Guo work at the Beijing Normal University, China. Prof. Fumin Ren works at the China Meteorological Administration, China. Prof. Jianbin Huang works at the Tsinghua University, China.
Optical Properties and Remote Sensing of Inland and Coastal Waters discusses the methodology and the theoretical basis of remote sensing of water. It presents physical concepts of aquatic optics relevant to remote sensing techniques and outlines the problems of remote measurements of the concentrations of organic and inorganic matter in water. It also details the mathematical formulation of the processes governing water-radiation interactions and discusses the development of bio-optical models to incorporate optically complex bodies of water into remote sensing projects.
This book concerns the theoretical foundations of hydro mechanics of Pelton turbines from a viewpoint of engineering. For reference purposes all relevant flow processes and hydraulic aspects in a Pelton turbine have been analyzed completely and systematically. The analyses especially include the quantification of all possible losses existing in the Pelton turbine and the indication of most available potential for further enhancing the system efficiency. As a guideline the book therefore supports further developments of Pelton turbines with regard to their hydraulic designs and optimizations. It is thus suitable for the development and design engineers as well as those working in the field of turbo machinery. Many laws described in the book can also be directly used to simplify aspects of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or to develop new computational methods. The well-executed examples help better understanding the related flow mechanics.
The participation of such diverse scientific and technical disciplines as meteorology, astronomy, atmospheric electricity, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics, electromagnetic wave propagation, and radio techniques in the research of atmospherics means that results are published in scientific papers widely spread throughout the literature. This Handbook collects the latest knowledge on atmospherics and presents it in two volumes. Each chapter is written by an expert in his or her field. Topics include the physics of thunderclouds, thunder, global atmospheric electric currents, biological aspects of sferics, and various space techniques for detecting lightning within our own atmosphere as well as in the atmospheres of other planets. Up-to-date applications and methodology are detailed. Volumes I and II offer a comprehensive discussion that together will serve as an important resource for practitioners, professionals, and students alike.
A straightforward and fact-based exploration of how weather happens, how it relates to climate, and how science answers major questions about Earth as a system  Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental topics of our day. To answer criticisms and synthesize available information, scientists have been driven to devise increasingly complex models of the climate system. This book conveys that the basics of climate and climate change have been known for decades, and that relatively simple descriptions can capture the major features of the climate system and help the general public understand what controls climate and weather, and how both might be changing.  Renowned environmental scientist and educator John D. Aber distills what he has learned from a long fascination with weather and climate, the process of science, and the telling of the story of science. This is not a book about policies and politics. Instead, it explores how weather happens, how it relates to climate, and how science has been used to answer major questions about the Earth as a system and inform policies that have reversed environmental degradation. By providing a guided tour of the science of weather, this thoughtful survey will contribute clarity and rationality to the public understanding of climate change.
This companion provides a collection of frequently needed numerical data as a convenient desk-top or pocket reference for atmospheric scientists as well as a concise source of information for others interested in this matter. The material contained in this book was extracted from the recent and the past scientific literature; it covers essentially all aspects of atmospheric chemistry. The data are presented primarily in the form of annotated tables while any explanatory text is kept to a minimum. In this condensed form of presentation, the volume may serve also as a supplement to many textbooks used in teaching the subject at various universities. Peter Warneck, a physical chemist specializing in atmospheric chemistry, received the diploma in 1954 and the doctorate in 1956 at the university in Bonn, Germany. In 1959, following several postdoctoral assignments, he joined the GCA Corporation in Bedford, Massachusetts, where he explored elementary processes in the atmospheres of the earth and other planets. He returned to Germany in 1970 to head the chemical kinetics group in the Air Chemistry Division of the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemistry in Mainz. In 1974 he also became professor of physical chemistry at the university in Mainz. In 1991, following German reunification, Warneck was appointed the founding director of the new Institute for Tropospheric Research in Leipzig. He served in this position parallel to his activities in Mainz until official retirement. Warneck s research included laboratory studies of chemical mechanisms and photochemistry as well as the development of analytical techniques for field measurements. Since 1990, his interests are focused on chemical reactions in clouds. Jonathan Williams is an atmospheric chemist. He received his BSc in Chemistry and French and his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia, England. Between 1995-1997 he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the NOAA Aeronomy laboratory in Boulder, USA, and from 1998 to present as a member of staff at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany. He has participated in many international field measurement campaigns on aircraft, ships and at ground stations. Dr Williams is currently an editor on three atmospheric chemistry journals. His present research involves investigating the chemistry of reactive organic species in the atmosphere, in particular over forested ecosystems and in the marine boundary layer. Dr Williams leads a research group focussed specifically on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) at the Max Planck Institute and in 2008 he was made an honorary Reader at the University of East Anglia, UK."
Temperature and precipitation increase and decrease because of
natural causes. However, anthropogenic changes, such as an enhanced
greenhouse effect, may result in alterations in the regional
climate and in relative sea level. Serious changes in climate and
sea level-with adverse effects particularly along low-lying
coasts-would affect millions of people. Climate Change takes an
in-depth, worldwide look at coastal habitation with respect to
these natural and anthropogenic changes.
"The Weather Book" is a delightful miscellany of everything remotely meteorological. It is jam-packed with enlightening facts, practical diagrams and clear explanations about weather phenomena and why they form. It includes: weather systems - electrical storms, heat waves, hail, cyclones and the good-old British drizzle; weather tales - from raining frogs in Sussex, to ball lightning and sand storms in the East Midlands; weather forecasts - how the Met Office gathers information and makes predictions; and, old-school weather wisdom - 'Red sky at night, shepherds delight' All of the above plus an array of fascinating facts, quotes and anecdotes make up this charming gift book. This title helps to refresh your memory from long forgotten school lessons and extend your knowledge on one of Britain's most talked about subjects. |
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