Comprehensive graduate text describing the atmospheric processes, numerical methods, and computational techniques needed for those studying air pollution and meteorology.

Publisher Description

This book, first published in 2002, is a graduate-level text on numerical weather prediction, including atmospheric modeling, data assimilation and predictability.

Fundamentals of Atmospheric Physics emphasizes the interrelationships of physical and dynamical meteorology. The text unifies four major subject areas: atmospheric thermodynamics, hydrostatic equilibrium and stability, atmospheric radiation and clouds, and atmospheric dynamics. These fundamental areas serve as cornerstones of modern atmospheric research on environmental issues like global change and ozone depletion. Physical concepts underlying these subject areas are developed from first principles, providing a self-contained text for students and scholars from diverse backgrounds. The presentation is Lagrangian (single-body problems) in perspective, with a balance of theory and application. Each chapter includes detailed and extensive problems; selected answers are provided, as are appendices of various constants. The text requires a thorough foundation in calculus. - Presents a comprehensive introduction to atmospheric thermodynamics, hydrostatics, radiation and clouds, and dynamics - Develops concepts from first principles, providing a self-contained volume for readers from diverse backgrounds - Emphasizes the interaction of physical processes shaping global problems of atmospheric energetics, transport, and chemistry - Provides a balance of theory and applications, with examples drawn from a wide range of phenomena figuring in global atmospheric research - Extensively illustrated with global satellite imagery and analyses and photographs of laboratory simulations - Exercises apply to a wide range of topical problems

This concise overview of issues related to air quality starts with basic principles of physics and chemistry and moves to a discussion of the latest science around such issues as radiative transfer, atmospheric boundary layer and chemistry transport models.

This book sets forth the physical, mathematical, and numerical foundations of computer models used to understand and predict the global ocean climate system. Aimed at students and researchers of ocean and climate science who seek to understand the physical content of ocean model equations and numerical methods for their solution, it is largely general in formulation and employs modern mathematical techniques. It also highlights certain areas of cutting-edge research. Stephen Griffies presents material that spans a broad spectrum of issues critical for modern ocean climate models. Topics are organized into parts consisting of related chapters, with each part largely self-contained. Early chapters focus on the basic equations arising from classical mechanics and thermodynamics used to rationalize ocean fluid dynamics. These equations are then cast into a form appropriate for numerical models of finite grid resolution. Basic discretization methods are described for commonly used classes of ocean climate models. The book proceeds to focus on the parameterization of phenomena occurring at scales unresolved by the ocean model, which represents a large part of modern oceanographic research. The final part provides a tutorial on the tensor methods that are used throughout the book, in a general and elegant fashion, to formulate the equations.

Atmospheric chemistry is one of the fastest growing fields in the earth sciences. Until now, however, there has been no book designed to help students capture the essence of the subject in a brief course of study. Daniel Jacob, a leading researcher and teacher in the field, addresses that problem by presenting the first textbook on atmospheric chemistry for a one-semester course. Based on the approach he developed in his class at Harvard, Jacob introduces students in clear and concise chapters to the fundamentals as well as the latest ideas and findings in the field. Jacob's aim is to show students how to use basic principles of physics and chemistry to describe a complex system such as the atmosphere. He also seeks to give students an overview of the current state of research and the work that led to this point. Jacob begins with atmospheric structure, design of simple models, atmospheric transport, and the continuity equation, and continues with geochemical cycles, the greenhouse effect, aerosols, stratospheric ozone, the oxidizing power of the atmosphere, smog, and acid rain. Each chapter concludes with a problem set based on recent scientific literature. This is a novel approach to problem-set writing, and one that successfully introduces students to the prevailing issues. This is a major contribution to a growing area of study and will be welcomed enthusiastically by students and teachers alike.

Numerical models have become essential tools in environmental science, particularly in weather forecasting and climate prediction. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the techniques used in these fields, with emphasis on the design of the most recent numerical models of the atmosphere. It presents a short history of numerical weather prediction and its evolution, before describing the various model equations and how to solve them numerically. It outlines the main elements of a meteorological forecast suite, and the theory is illustrated throughout with practical examples of operational models and parameterizations of physical processes. This book is founded on the author's many years of experience, as a scientist at Météo-France and teaching university-level courses. It is a practical and accessible textbook for graduate courses and a handy resource for researchers and professionals in atmospheric physics, meteorology and climatology, as well as the related disciplines of fluid dynamics, hydrology and oceanography.

A single reference to all aspects of contemporary air dispersion modeling The practice of air dispersion modeling has changed dramatically in recent years, in large part due to new EPA regulations. Current with the EPA's 40 CFR Part 51, this book serves as a complete reference to both the science and contemporary practice of air dispersion modeling. Throughout the book, author Alex De Visscher guides readers through complex calculations, equation by equation, helping them understand precisely how air dispersion models work, including such popular models as the EPA's AERMOD and CALPUFF. Air Dispersion Modeling begins with a primer that enables readers to quickly grasp basic principles by developing their own air dispersion model. Next, the book offers everything readers need to work with air dispersion models and accurately interpret their results, including: Full chapter dedicated to the meteorological basis of air dispersion Examples throughout the book illustrating how theory translates into practice Extensive discussions of Gaussian, Lagrangian, and Eulerian air dispersion modeling Detailed descriptions of the AERMOD and CALPUFF model formulations This book also includes access to a website with Microsoft Excel and MATLAB files that contain examples of air dispersion model calculations. Readers can work with these examples to perform their own calculations. With its comprehensive and up-to-date coverage, Air Dispersion Modeling is recommended for environmental engineers and meteorologists who need to perform and evaluate environmental impact assessments. The book's many examples and step-by-step instructions also make it ideal as a textbook for students in the fields of environmental engineering, meteorology, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences.