About Book

Atmospheric science, interdisciplinary field of study that combines the components of physics and chemistry that focuses on the structure and dynamics of Earth’s atmosphere. Mathematical tools, such as differential equations and vector analysis and computer systems are used to evaluate the physical and chemical relations that describe the workings of the atmosphere. The atmospheric sciences are traditionally divided into three topical areas—meteorology (the study and forecasting of weather), climatology (the study of long-term atmospheric patterns and their influences), and aeronomy (the study of the physics and chemistry of the upper atmosphere). Atmospheric science is essential for understanding of the basic processes and their modeling to improve; this will require genuine advances in observational, conceptual, and technological approaches. For this reason there are several challenges which include those related to observations and data assimilation, those covered within the traditional disciplines and others. The book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of atmospheric sciences. It explains in detail the use and importance of this subject. It deals with atmospheric ionizing radiation, atmospheric boundary layer, upper atmospheric research, urban atmosphere, atmospheric dynamics, numerical methods, atmospheric pressure plasma and atmospheric thermodynamics. This book picks up individual branches and explains their need and contribution in the growth of this field. It is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and principles in the field of atmospheric science. It is a complete source of knowledge on the present status of this important field.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Understanding of Atmospheric Systems with Efficient Numerical Methods for Observation and Prediction........1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. The advances of NWP.........................................................................2

3. Future work...........................................................................................4

Chapter 2 Advanced Optical Diagnostics of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma...5

Abstract...................................................................................................5

1. Introduction............................................................................................5

2. Diagnostics of basic plasma parameters..........................................6

3. Diagnostics of plasma chemistry (reactive species).....................14

4. Summary...............................................................................................19

Chapter 3 A Case Study of Atmospheric Dynamics and Thermodynamics in Derechos and the Societal Impacts......................................................28

Abstract ................................................................................................28

1. Introduction..........................................................................................29

2. Background...........................................................................................29

3. Case study: 2012 Mid Atlantic Derecho.........................................34

4. Results...................................................................................................38

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................48

Chapter 4 Artificial and Biological Particles in Urban Atmosphere................52

1. Introduction..........................................................................................52

2. Material and methods........................................................................54

3. Results and discussion.......................................................................58

4. Conclusion............................................................................................69

Chapter 5 Aperture Synthesis Radar Imaging for Upper Atmospheric

Research.......................................................................................................72

1. Introduction..........................................................................................72

2. Imaging problem.................................................................................74

3. Inverse methods..................................................................................75

4. MaxEnt formulation...........................................................................77

5. Examples from the upper atmosphere...........................................87

6. Summary and future work...............................................................92

Chapter 6 Analytical Model for Air Pollution in the Atmospheric Boundary

Layer.............................................................................................................98

1. Introduction..........................................................................................98

2. The advection-diffusion equation..................................................102

3. A closed form solution....................................................................103

4. Solution validation against experimental data...........................109

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................115

6. Acknowledgements...........................................................................118

Chapter 7 Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation from Galactic and Solar

Cosmic Rays ............................................................................................123

1. Introduction........................................................................................123

2. Scientific and historical overview..................................................124

3. Description of NAIRAS model components...............................133

4. Analysis of atmospheric ionizing radiation exposure...............172

5. Conclusions........................................................................................184

Chapter 8 Atmospheric Thermodynamics............................................................198

1. Introduction........................................................................................198

2. Dry air thermodynamics and stability.........................................199

3. Moist air thermodynamics..............................................................207

4. The generation of clouds.................................................................219

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................226

Citation......................................................................................................229

Index...........................................................................................................231

About Author

Victor Ayers pursued his Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Technological University, Brisbane. His areas of interest are meteorology, climatology and aeronomy. He is a Guest Lecturer at several universities across Europe. Ayers has attended numerous scientific conferences and symposiums where he has presented 10 papers on atmospheric chemistry and climate change. He has been presented the “Distinguished Teaching Award” for his outstanding service and the impact he has made worldwide. He is a regular contributor to scientific journals; and has many articles and book chapters to his credit.