"Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric science in which the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere and that of other planets is studied."
The study of the chemical composition and processes that occur in the atmosphere of a planet or moon. Topics include photochemistry, ozone depletion, and the greenhouse effect.
Atmospheric Composition: This topic refers to the various gases and particles present in the Earth's atmosphere, and their concentrations.
Atmospheric Structure: This topic refers to the different layers that make up the Earth's atmosphere, and their properties.
Greenhouse Effect: This topic refers to the process by which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat and warm the planet.
Ozone Layer: This topic refers to the layer of ozone gas in the atmosphere that protects the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Air Pollution: This topic refers to the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling: This topic refers to the mathematical models used to predict the chemical reactions in the atmosphere, and their effects on the environment.
Aerosols: This topic refers to the small particles suspended in the atmosphere, such as dust, smoke, and pollutants, that can have impacts on climate and air quality.
Climate Change: This topic refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's climate, and the role that atmospheric chemistry plays in this process.
Remote Sensing: This topic refers to the techniques used to measure and monitor atmospheric chemistry from a distance, such as through satellites and aircraft.
Atmospheric Dynamics: This topic refers to the movement of air in the atmosphere, including wind patterns, temperature gradients, and seasonal changes.
Stratospheric Chemistry: This topic refers to the chemical reactions and processes that occur in the stratosphere, including the ozone layer and the formation of polar stratospheric clouds.
Atmospheric Photochemistry: This topic refers to the chemical reactions that occur in the atmosphere, triggered by sunlight and other forms of radiation.
Atmospheric Modeling and Measurements: This topic refers to the techniques and tools used to study and understand atmospheric chemistry, including computer models, air sampling, and data analysis.
Urban Air Quality: This topic refers to the effects of human activities, such as transportation and industry, on the composition and quality of the air in urban areas.
Acid Rain: This topic refers to the process by which acidic compounds in the atmosphere can have impacts on soil and water quality.
Climate Engineering: This topic refers to the deliberate manipulation of the Earth's climate, through techniques such as geoengineering, to counteract the effects of climate change.
Planetary Atmospheres: The study of the chemical composition and physical properties of planetary atmospheres, including Earth's, Mars', Venus', and Saturn's.
Interstellar Medium (ISM): The study of the chemical composition and physical properties of the gas and dust located between stars in the Milky Way and other galaxies.
Stellar Atmospheres: The study of the chemical composition and physical properties of the outer layers of stars, including their photospheres, chromospheres, and coronae.
Cosmochemistry: The study of the chemical composition and physical properties of extraterrestrial materials, including meteorites, comets, and interplanetary dust particles.
Atmospheric Photochemistry: The study of the chemical reactions that occur in the Earth's atmosphere due to the presence of sunlight.
Stratosphere-Troposphere Interactions: The study of the exchange of gases and chemicals between the stratosphere and troposphere in the Earth's atmosphere, including the effects of ozone depletion.
Air Pollution: The study of the effects of pollutants on the Earth's atmosphere, including the effects of fossil fuel combustion, industrial processes, and transportation on air quality.
Climate Change: The study of the chemical and physical processes that drive climate change, including the production and destruction of greenhouse gases, and their impact on the Earth's temperature and precipitation patterns.
Biological and Ecological Atmosphere Interactions: The study of the interactions between the Earth's atmosphere and biological and ecological systems, including the role of plants and animals in the global carbon cycle.
"It is a multidisciplinary approach of research and draws on environmental chemistry, physics, meteorology, computer modeling, oceanography, geology and volcanology, and other disciplines."
"Research is increasingly connected with other areas of study such as climatology."
"The composition and chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere is of importance for several reasons, but primarily because of the interactions between the atmosphere and living organisms."
"The composition of the Earth's atmosphere changes as a result of natural processes such as volcano emissions, lightning, and bombardment by solar particles from the corona."
"It has also been changed by human activity and some of these changes are harmful to human health, crops, and ecosystems."
"Examples of problems which have been addressed by atmospheric chemistry include acid rain, ozone depletion, photochemical smog, greenhouse gases, and global warming."
"Atmospheric chemists seek to understand the causes of these problems."
"...obtaining a theoretical understanding of them allows possible solutions to be tested and the effects of changes in government policy evaluated."
"Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric science."
"Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric science in which the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere and that of other planets is studied."
"The composition of the Earth's atmosphere changes as a result of natural processes... and some of these changes are harmful to human health, crops, and ecosystems."
"...atmospheric chemistry include...ozone depletion, photochemical smog, greenhouse gases, and global warming."
"...allow possible solutions to be tested and the effects of changes in government policy evaluated."
"Research is increasingly connected with other areas of study such as climatology."
"It is a multidisciplinary approach of research and draws on... computer modeling..."
"Changes...are harmful to human health, crops, and ecosystems."
"The composition of the Earth's atmosphere changes as a result of natural processes such as volcano emissions..."
"...primarily because of the interactions between the atmosphere and living organisms."
"Atmospheric chemists seek to understand the causes of these problems...allowing possible solutions to be tested."